International travelers from Pune have reason to celebrate as the Pune-Mumbai Expressway’s new link road is set to drastically cut travel time to the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which is expected to open in April, according to Indian Express.
Major Time Savings for Commuters
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) announced that 90% of the missing link road project is complete, with most civil work finished. According to Rakesh Sonawane, MSRDC’s executive engineer, the link road will reduce travel time between Pune and Mumbai by at least 30 minutes.
The project is progressing swiftly, with a completion deadline of June, Sonawane said. He highlighted the significance of the project for the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which will benefit from quicker access via the Expressway. Despite the urgency, the complexity of the work—including two tunnels and two valley bridges—necessitates careful progress to avoid compromising safety.
Improved Connectivity to Navi Mumbai Airport
Currently, the journey from Pune to Mumbai’s existing international airport spans 160 km and takes approximately four hours. The new Navi Mumbai International Airport, located just 120 km from Pune, will reduce travel time to around two-and-a-half hours. With the addition of the new link road bypassing Lonavala town, travel time could drop further to as little as two hours.
Project Highlights
The link road will shorten the Pune-Mumbai Expressway by 6.5 km, bypassing a 19.8-km stretch from Khopoli to Kusgaon. The 13.3-km link road includes:
- 1.7 km of tunnels
- Two cable bridges, measuring 840 meters and 650 meters
- An 8.9-km stretch cutting across hills
The Rs 6,595-crore project incorporates advanced safety features such as emergency medical services and an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS).
Transforming a Busy Corridor
This missing link project aims to eliminate the steep slopes and sharp turns in the Lonavala ghat section, creating a “zero fatality corridor.” Originally slated for completion in 2022, the project faced delays due to the pandemic.
The expressway, constructed two decades ago, has experienced a steady rise in traffic over the years. The missing link project was introduced to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce the growing travel time in the Lonavala ghat section.