Mumbai-Pune Expressway 'Missing Link' Project To Get Ready By August 2025

The much-anticipated "Missing Link" project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, which has faced multiple deadline extensions, is now expected to be completed by August 2025.

According to The Indian Express, 92 per cent of the work on this 13.3-kilometer stretch has been completed, bringing it closer to operational status.

Officially known as the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway (YCEW), the project, undertaken by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), is an under-construction, eight-lane access-controlled expressway that will connect Khopoli to Kusgaon.

Designed to bypass the treacherous 19-kilometer Khandala Ghat section—known for its steep inclines and vehicle speed restrictions—the "Missing Link" aims to enhance both safety and efficiency. Once operational, it will shorten the route by 5.7 kilometers, cutting travel time by 20-30 minutes.

Beyond reducing distance, the project addresses a long-standing issue: monsoon-induced traffic congestion in the Khandala region. Landslides, caused by loose boulders and debris from surrounding hillocks, often disrupt movement on the expressway. The new alignment is engineered to mitigate such hazards.

Key features of the project include two tunnels—measuring 1.75 km and 8.92 km—as well as two cable-stayed bridges spanning 770 meters and 645 meters, respectively.

The underground tunnel is particularly noteworthy, as it will be Asia’s widest road tunnel at 23.75 meters, accommodating eight lanes (4+4) with dedicated 2.5-meter-wide emergency lanes on both sides.

A remarkable feat of modern engineering, the Rs 6,600-crore "Missing Link" stands as a testament to meticulous planning and innovation. With the final phase nearing completion, it is set to transform travel on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in the coming months.