Travel on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is set to become significantly faster, with the long-awaited “missing link” project expected to be completed by December 2025, according to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).

The new alignment will reduce the journey distance by 13.3 km and cut travel time by 20 to 25 minutes. Vehicles will be able to travel at speeds of up to 120 kmph due to the straightened alignment and fewer turns, particularly along the hilly Lonavala-Khandala stretch. Key engineering highlights include a 650-mtrs.-long cable-stayed bridge, rising to the height of a 45-storey building over Tiger Valley, an 840-mtrs. viaduct, a 1.75-km tunnel, and a second tunnel stretching 8.9 km, reaching depths of 170 feet under Lonavala Lake.

Originally pegged at Rs 6,600 crore, the project has encountered repeated delays, with the initial March 2024 opening pushed back multiple times. Though the latest deadline is September 2025, officials are optimistic that major components will be completed by December. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar highlighted the project’s benefits in easing congestion, reducing fuel consumption, and enhancing road safety, marking a key milestone for Maharashtra’s transport infrastructure.