The much-awaited Mumbai-Pune Expressway ‘Missing Link’ was on Friday afternoon inaugurated with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde targeting the Opposition for delays in the project.
The project was inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis under the ‘Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai-Pune Expressway Capacity Expansion’ programme. It is part of efforts to increase the capacity and efficiency of one of the state`s busiest expressways.
Speaking at the event, Shinde criticised the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, saying it had “missed the development link”, while the current government had accelerated progress by completing the project.
He described the project as a major solution to long-standing traffic congestion in the ghat section.
Officials said the project will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune by around 30 to 40 minutes.
The new alignment is expected to ease traffic jams in the hilly stretch and make journeys smoother and safer, especially during peak hours and the monsoon season.
Engineering marvel
Eknath Shinde called the project an “engineering marvel”, noting that it was completed under challenging conditions, an official statement issued by Shinde`s office said.
He said that the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is India’s first expressway, originally conceptualised by late Balasaheb Thackeray, and later developed further when Nitin Gadkari was minister. Earlier, travel through the ghat section used to take 8 to 10 hours, but after the expressway was built, the journey reduced to 2 to 2.5 hours, encouraging daily travel between Mumbai and Pune. However, traffic jams in the ghat section remained a major problem. Shinde said the Missing Link project is a permanent solution to this issue and will act like a “strong remedy” for the long-standing problem, the statement said.
Shinde said the government is focused on completing major infrastructure projects, citing developments like the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway as examples.
He added that such projects are aimed at improving connectivity and boosting development across the state.
CM Fadnavis inaugurated the project and apart from Eknath Shinde, the event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Public Works Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale, Employment Guarantee Minister Bharat Gogawale, Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare, MSRDC Minister Meghna Bordikar, Housing Minister Madhuri Misal, MP Sunil Tatkare, MSRDC Managing Director Anilkumar Gaikwad, senior government officials, company representatives, journalists and a large number of citizens.
Environmental and safety measures
Special measures have been taken to protect wildlife and ensure minimal environmental impact during construction.
The expressway now includes improved safety systems, with arrangements for quick response in case of accidents.
A key highlight is a 182-metre-high viaduct near Tiger Valley, one of the tallest in India, along with advanced tunnels and modern safety systems.
The project, built at an estimated cost of around Rs 7,000 crore, is expected to boost economic growth and improve connectivity not only between Mumbai and Pune but also for regions in western Maharashtra, including Satara and Sangli.
The officials said it will help save time, fuel and costs, while also reducing pollution and accidents.
