No Additional Toll on Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link as the Scenic Bypass Opens May 1
Lonavala, April 26, 2026: The long-awaited “Missing Link” project on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway will be inaugurated on Maharashtra Day, May 1, with a firm assurance from the state government that no additional toll will be levied.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced on Sunday that existing toll rates at the Khalapur toll plaza will remain unchanged, fulfilling a key promise to ensure faster connectivity without imposing a financial burden on road users.
“The objective of the project is to reduce travel stress and improve connectivity, not increase costs for commuters,” Shinde said after inspecting the nearly completed stretch.
Phased Traffic Plan: Cars and Buses First
To ensure smooth traffic flow and maximize benefits for daily travelers, the government will adopt a phased approach. For the first six months, priority on the new route will be given to cars, light vehicles, and buses. Heavy vehicles will be restricted initially, Shinde confirmed.
30–45 Minutes Saved, ₹1 Crore Daily Fuel Savings
The 13.30-km Missing Link project bypasses the congested and accident-prone ghat section of the expressway. Currently, the route between the Khopoli exit and the Sinhgad Institute stretch covers 19.8 km. Once open, the distance will shrink to 13.3 km, a reduction of more than six kilometers, cutting travel time by 30 to 45 minutes between Mumbai and Pune.
“This will result in fuel savings of nearly ₹1 crore daily, reduced pollution, and a safer journey,” Shinde said, calling the project a game-changer for the region.
Engineering Marvel in Tiger Valley
The deputy chief minister described the project as a major engineering achievement executed under extreme conditions. In Tiger Valley, the viaduct rises 182 meters high, where wind speeds exceed 70 kmph and the area remains shrouded in fog, rain, and storms for most of the year.
“Despite these conditions, MSRDC successfully completed this ambitious project,” Shinde said, adding that only minor finishing work on the tunnel and viaduct remains and will be finished in the coming days.
The project includes two tunnels measuring 1.67 km and 8.92 km, bored through Sahyadri basalt rock using advanced techniques. The 23.75-meter-wide tunnel is considered one of the widest in the world. The road will pass 182 meters below Lonavala Lake, posing a formidable challenge that the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) successfully overcame.
Built to Global Standards
Shinde highlighted that cables for the bridge were imported and tested in Vienna, while wind tunnel testing was carried out in Denmark to ensure structural stability under extreme conditions. The bridge is designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 260 kmph.
Around 12,000 metric tonnes of steel were used for temporary support structures, and an approach road had to be carved out from the Wakan-Pali-Khopoli side to transport heavy machinery into the valley, as no access road existed initially.
Heritage-Inspired Design, Advanced Safety Features
The project incorporates design elements inspired by nearby forts such as Lohagad, Visapur, and Tikona, along with motifs from the Karla caves. Durable GRC (glass-reinforced concrete) material was used, with structures designed to last over 100 years.
Tunnels are equipped with CCTV surveillance, SOS call boxes, fire suppression systems, cross passages every 300 meters, and a 24-hour monitoring control room.
Political Coincidence and Commuter Cheer
Shinde noted that the proposal received approval in 2019 when Devendra Fadnavis was chief minister and Shinde himself was handling MSRDC. “It is a coincidence that the inauguration is taking place at a time when Devendra Fadnavis is again the chief minister and the department is with me,” he said.
Regular commuters welcomed the announcement. Pune-based IT professional Aditya Kulkarni said, “If the project actually cuts down travel time by 30 to 45 minutes and reduces congestion in the ghat section, it will be a huge relief.” Mumbai resident Sameer Mehta added, “A faster journey at no extra cost will make a big difference to regular commuters.”
