By Pranjal Gupta

Copyright timesnownews

Commuters seeking easy and faster travel between Mumbai and Pune should be aware that the Missing Link Project is nearing completion. Once the Missing Link Project on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway is ready, the travel time between Pune and Mumbai will reduce by nearly 30 minutes. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is building a new 13.3-kilometre, eight-lane road. This road will avoid the crowded and dangerous Lonavala–Khandala ghat section. It will reduce the distance by nearly six kilometres and allow vehicles to travel at speeds of up to 120 km/h, reported Pune Pulse. This project is more than just a new road. It includes: Two big tunnels, one 9 km long and the other 2 km longA 650-metre cable-stayed bridge at Tiger Valley, standing 132 feet highA viaduct nearly 180 metres tall, one of the highest of its type in India Also Read: Pune: 15-Year-Old Dies in High-Rise Fire; Officials Injured as Cylinder Explodes During Rescue The tunnels run under Lonavala Lake, and the new bridge will become a famous landmark. Work started in 2019 but has faced delays because the terrain is difficult and the project is large. About 96% of the work is now complete. The tunnels and the first viaduct are ready, while the bridge and the second viaduct are almost finished. The last part of the work involves safety checks like lighting, ventilation, monitoring systems, emergency exits, and getting official permissions. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have visited the site. They praised the engineering but reminded everyone that safety is the top priority. The project might open in December 2025 if everything goes well. This new road will: Cut travel time and ease trafficImprove safety by avoiding accident-prone areasBoost the economy by helping logistics, real estate, tourism, and industry in western MaharashtraThe Missing Link is set to become an important milestone in Indian infrastructure, making travel between Mumbai and Pune smoother and safer, while supporting growth in the region.