Heavy Rains Delay Completion Of Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link To Early 2026

The completion of the missing link on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, being developed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), has been pushed back due to prolonged heavy rains and strong winds in the region, as per Punekar News.

Originally slated for completion by December, following Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s directive to finish by November, the project is now expected to be ready by January–February 2026.

The 13.5 km missing link between Khopoli and Kusgaon includes a four-lane expressway expansion, two tunnels and a cable-stayed bridge. The MSRDC has completed nearly 95 per cent of the work, with final construction on the bridge currently underway.

Dr Anil Kumar Gaikwad, Managing Director of MSRDC was quoted as saying, “The heavy rains and strong winds over the last five months, particularly in the valley sections, slowed down work on the bridge. The pace of construction has now picked up, and we expect to complete the project by January-February 2026.”

The bridge’s design includes two viaducts built on a 28 metre deep foundation. One, measuring 850 metres, has been finished, while the second about 600 metres long and rising 182 metres high, remains under construction.

The site faces extreme weather conditions, with valley winds reaching up to 180 km/h and persistent rainfall complicating the engineering process. Once operational, vehicles will be able to safely travel across the bridge at speeds of up to 100 km/h.

The expressway, one of India’s busiest, faces frequent congestion in the Ghat sections. The new link is expected to significantly cut travel time between Mumbai and Pune.

“The intensity of the rains slowed down the construction of the cable-stayed bridge… completing the project within the earlier deadline of November-December is no longer feasible,” Dr Gaikwad added.

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