The Missing Link for the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in India is now opening to traffic, a key development for one of the country’s busiest routes for vehicle traffic. The 13.3km stretch of expressway will replace the previous section of road, cutting journey times and boosting capacity as well as traffic safety.
Although the 147km Mumbai-Pune Expressway was opened in 2002 and reduced the journey time between the two cities, the 19km stretch called the Khandala Ghat was notorious for its sharp switchbacks, landslides and frequent crashes, as well as slow moving traffic and congestion. The new stretch of the expressway features a major cable-stayed bridge, carrying three lanes of traffic in either direction, providing a straight link the bypasses the old section of road. Formwork from Doka was used in the construction of the bridge, which features an innovative design.
The Khandala Ghat stretch of road did not meet current requirements and was not fit for purpose as traffic safety was of concern, particularly during poor weather conditions. There were 191 serious crashes on the Khandala Ghat stretch in 2024 according to official data. This new link will cut journey times by around 30 minutes and meets the latest safety standards, eliminating the risk of landslides or crashes on the many sharp bends of the old route.
The increased capacity of the new route will be a huge benefit. The expressway usually handles around 75,000 vehicles/day but during weekends or holiday periods, traffic volumes can soar as high as 110,000-120,000 vehicles/day. This typically resulted in tailbacks and long delays for drivers using the Khandala Ghat.
