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The Mumbai–Pune Expressway’s ‘Missing Link’ project is taking shape with twin four-lane tunnels in both directions, promising smoother travel and a major engineering breakthrough
Both tunnels will be equipped with four traffic lanes along with a dedicated service road, ensuring smoother and more efficient vehicular movement. (Representative Image)
A major milestone is on the horizon for the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, as the massive tunnel being built under the ‘Missing Link’ project is poised to become the widest tunnel in the world. The process to secure a place in the Guinness World Records has already begun, with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) submitting a formal proposal. Officials from Guinness have also inspected the site, signalling global recognition for the ambitious infrastructure project.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway has long been plagued by heavy traffic congestion, particularly at the Khandala Ghat stretch, leading to delays and increased travel time. To tackle these persistent issues, authorities have turned to modern engineering solutions, with the ‘Missing Link’ project emerging as a game-changing initiative aimed at easing congestion and improving travel efficiency between the two cities.
World’s Widest Tunnel Under Construction
The project is being implemented between the Khopoli exit and Kusgaon near Lonavala. Designed to bypass the congested ghat section, this new alignment is expected to significantly streamline traffic movement and enhance safety for commuters.
A key highlight of the project is the construction of two parallel tunnels, each featuring four lanes in both directions. The main tunnel stretches approximately 8.7 kilometres and, once completed, will have a width of 23.5 metres, making it the widest tunnel in the world. The second tunnel measures about 1.67 kilometres in length.
Both tunnels will be equipped with four traffic lanes along with a dedicated service road, ensuring smoother and more efficient vehicular movement.
In addition to the tunnels, the project includes a striking 950-metre-long cable-stayed bridge. Rising nearly 100 metres above the ground, the bridge has an overall height of 183 metres. Built using advanced engineering techniques, it is designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 250 kilometres per hour, making it both robust and resilient.
Project Cost, Timeline And Benefits
The total length of the ‘Missing Link’ project is approximately 13.3 kilometres, with an estimated cost of Rs 6,695 crore. Once operational, it is expected to reduce the distance between Mumbai and Pune by around 6 kilometres and cut travel time by nearly 25 minutes.
Construction work on the tunnel has already been completed, while the cable-stayed bridge is in its final stages. MSRDC aims to complete the remaining work and open the route to traffic by May 1.
With its scale, innovation, and global recognition potential, the ‘Missing Link’ project is set to transform travel on one of India’s busiest expressways. By reducing congestion and improving connectivity, it promises a faster, safer, and more efficient journey for lakhs of commuters travelling between Mumbai and Pune.
March 20, 2026, 15:16 IST
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