The long-awaited ‘Missing Link’ on the Mumbai-Pune expressway has been officially inaugurated today by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The new 13.3km route comprising two tunnels and a cable-stayed bridge will bypass the 19.8km Khandala Ghat section, effectively reducing travel distance by about 6km and travel time by an estimated 25 mins. More importantly, this is expected to bring a huge relief from the massive traffic jams that the Ghat section of the expressway is infamous for.
- Missing Link has been constructed at a cost of Rs 6695 crores
- Comprises two tunnels measuring 1.6km and 8.92km in length
- Both tunnels are connected by a 650m cable-stayed bridge at a height of 125m
Mumbai-Pune Missing Link: Quick facts
Missing Link was envisioned as part of the original Mumbai-Pune expressway that opened in 2002, but it was shelved due to cost, engineering and environmental challenges, until the proposal was formally approved in 2018. Construction work began in 2019.
The new Missing Link starts at Khopoli (Mumbai side) and ends in Kusgaon near Lonavala. It is made up of four key components – two viaducts, one of which is 650m cable-stayed bridge at a height of 125m over Lonavala’s famous Tiger valley, and two tunnels, one measuring a 1.6km in length and the other 8.9km. Notably, the two tunnels, measuring 22.3 meters in diameter, are the widest in the world, even making it to the Guiness World Record Books. The larger of the two tunnels passes about 180 meters under the Lonavala Lake.
There are also cross passages every 300m connecting the Pune- and Mumbai-bound tunnels. In case of an emergency, traffic can be rerouted to safety. It also gets water mist systems for fire control and automated traffic control monitoring systems.
The entire route comprises four lanes and a service lane on each side, and has a speed limit of 100kph. For refence, the ghat section of the expressway has a speed limit of 60kph. There’s a still a gradient on the road, but its much flatter than the steep inclines on the Ghat section and doesn’t feel like a climb.
How will it benefit commuters?
On paper, the new route should reduce travel time by about 25 mins, but commuters regularly using the Mumbai-Pune Expressway have dreaded its traffic jams for years, especially in the monsoons and peak holiday seasons. In the real world, savings in time should be a whole lot larger. The Ghat section is also infamous for being an accident-prone area, and that further worsened traffic movement on several occasions, the most recent being the toppling of a propylene gas tanker in February this year that brought traffic to a complete halt for over 30 hours. For those heading towards Lonavala, one will still have to use the older Ghat section. Officials are also estimating saving of Rs 1 crore in fuel expenditure daily.
Will there be additional toll for the Missing Link?
No, there will be no additional toll for using the Missing Link. Whether you use the original ghat section or the new route, you’ll pay the same money.
Which vehicles can ply on the new Missing Link?
In the initial six-month period, only certain vehicles will be allowed to use the new Missing Link, namely private cars and SUVs, Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and passenger busses. Goods-carrying vehicles are barred until at least November 1. This is to allow authorities to monitor traffic flow and safety before opening the route to heavier cargo traffic. Vehicles carrying hazardous, inflammable or explosive materials will never be allowed to ply on the Missing Link.
When can you start using the Missing Link?
Even though the Missing Link has been inaugurated on May 1, motorists can effectively start using the new route from May 2 as officials will need time to clear away ceremonial pandals and other obstacles and construction equipment from the site.
Suraj Viswanathan
Sergius Barretto
Hormazd Sorabjee
Viraaj Bhatnagar
