Mumbai-Pune ‘Missing Link’ launch triggers traffic chaos; project to ease ghat congestion

The much-anticipated launch of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway’s ‘Missing Link’ triggered hour-long traffic jams on one of the state’s busiest routes on Friday (May 1), leaving thousands of commuters stranded since early morning.

The ‘Missing Link’ will provide an alternative to the busy 19.8-km ghat stretch, which frequently witnesses traffic jams due to tourist vehicles heading to Lonavala and heavy commercial traffic. The new route aims to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune by providing a faster option through tunnels and bridges cutting across hills and valleys.

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One of the busiest road corridors in the country, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway has frequently made headlines for long traffic jams. Earlier this year, traffic on the route remained disrupted for nearly 32 hours after a 21,000-kg propylene gas tanker overturned.

Inauguration triggers traffic chaos

Developed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the 13-km stretch between Khopoli and Lonavala was intended to ease congestion in the Khandala Ghat section and reduce travel time. However, on the day of its launch, the new route remained closed to the public until its formal inauguration by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, forcing all traffic onto the old ghat road during peak morning hours, a stretch known for frequent bottlenecks.

The situation worsened after one lane on the existing expressway was shut for inauguration-related arrangements. With reduced road space and heavy vehicular movement, long queues formed across the ghat, with traffic crawling or coming to a standstill in several stretches.

Police said the new route could not be opened before the ceremony and that traffic conditions would improve once it was made accessible. However, commuters reported being stuck for over five hours, with many vehicles barely moving.

“We started around 7 am from Andheri, but are still stuck. Because of the heat, our car has now broken down,” a commuter said, adding that several vehicles were overheating in the jam. Many also questioned why the road was not opened earlier.

Several commuters flayed the timing, pointing out that the inauguration was held on the first day of a long weekend, when traffic on the Mumbai-Pune corridor is usually high. Many said the government could have opened the road earlier or avoided restrictions during peak hours.

Opposition slams poor planning

Opposition leaders said the situation reflected poor planning. Congress leader Atul Londhe accused the government of prioritising publicity over public convenience. “The focus was on the event, not on the people travelling,” he said.

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NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, who was also caught in the traffic jam, shared a video showing long queues of vehicles. A commuter beside her said he had been on the road since 7 am but had not moved for two hours. Sule said families, children and senior citizens were among those stranded and noted that such delays are a recurring issue in the ghat. She urged the state government to improve traffic management and find a lasting solution.

Inside the Missing Link project

Meanwhile, Fadnavis inaugurated the ‘Missing Link’ project on the expressway to bypass the steep mountain pass section aimed at improving road safety and reducing travel distance between the two key cities.

The project connects Khopoli on the Mumbai side to Kusgaon near Lonavala in Pune district and is expected to make the expressway fully access-controlled, easing congestion in the ‘ghat’ (mountain pass) section.

Built by the MSRDC at a cost of Rs 6,700 crore, the project includes two tunnels, two viaducts and a cable-stayed bridge over Tiger Valley. It bypasses the steep and accident-prone Khandala or Bhor ‘ghat’ (mountain pass) section that frequently witnesses traffic congestion, especially during weekends and on public holidays.

Officials said the ‘Missing Link’ will reduce the Mumbai-Pune travel distance by around 6 km and cut the journey time by 20 to 30 minutes.

Engineering feats and impact

One of the highlights of the project is its twin tunnels. One tunnel stretches 8.92 km, among the longest in Asia, while the second is 1.75 km long. With widths up to 23.75 meters, these tunnels are among the widest globally and support eight lanes of traffic.

Equipped with modern safety features such as ventilation, lighting, and emergency exits, the tunnels are designed for efficiency and safety. The widest tunnel is also being considered for a Guinness World Record.

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The project includes a 650-meter-long cable-stayed bridge over Tiger Valley, with pillars reaching up to 184 meters, making it one of India's tallest road bridges. It can withstand wind speeds of up to 252 km/h and features a 305-meter main span.

Additionally, an 850-meter viaduct ensures smooth travel across difficult terrain. The route connects Khopoli to Kusgaon near Lonavala, passing beneath Lonavala Lake, a challenging engineering feat. The new route will improve connectivity to popular tourist destinations such as Lohagad Fort, Visapur Fort, and the Karla Caves.

Overall, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link is expected to reduce accident risks, improve traffic flow, cut down carbon emissions, and strengthen commercial connectivity between the two major cities.