Eknath Shinde Reviews MSRDC Projects: Mumbai Pune Expressway Missing Link to Be Completed by December 2025; Expressway to be Expanded to 10 Lanes
Mumbai, May 31 — At a comprehensive review meeting of state infrastructure projects held on May 30, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde directed officials to accelerate the pace of ongoing road development works to either complete them before monsoon becomes heavy or make arrangements to ensure people are not inconvenienced due to ongoing works.
Shinde took stock of the ongoing work on completing the missing link on Mumbai Pune Expressway and instructed the officials to complete the project by December 2025. Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) also plans to widen the expressway from six to ten lanes, with an estimated budget of ₹14,900 crore.
Shinde emphasized that projects undertaken by MSRDC must be completed on time and with strict adherence to quality standards. Clear directives were issued to resolve delays and remove administrative or operational hurdles across several major corridors.
Acceleration of Key Road Projects
The meeting included a status review of multiple critical infrastructure projects across Maharashtra. Shinde called for urgent action to speed up implementation and eliminate bottlenecks in the following:
- Mumbai Pune Expressway Missing Link (Target completion: December 2025)
- Coastal Highway in Konkan
- Access-Controlled Highways
- Shelter Center Development
- Shaktipeeth Highway
- Pune Ring Road
- Jalna–Nanded Samruddhi Connector
- Gondia–Bhandara–Gadchiroli Samruddhi Extension
- Virar–Alibaug Corridor
- Vadhavan–Samruddhi Highway Connector
- Navegaon Mor–Surjagad Greenfield Highway
- New Mahabaleshwar Project
- Bandra–Versova Sea Link
Instructions were also issued to expedite stalled works on the Mumbai–Nashik Highway, with a temporary solution of asphalting roads that cannot be concreted before the monsoon to keep traffic moving. Contractors unnecessarily delaying progress are to be served notices without exception.
Widening of Mumbai Pune Expressway
MSRDC has been asked to plan and execute the widening of the Mumbai Pune Expressway to ten lanes to accommodate rising traffic volumes and reduce congestion. The estimated cost of the project is ₹14,900 crore, and it will be one of the most extensive upgrades to the expressway since its inception.
ALSO READ | Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link to Reduce Travel Time by 30 Min; Project 96% Complete
Pune Ring Road: 10,000 Trees to Be Replanted
As part of the Pune Ring Road development, Shinde also highlighted environmental initiatives being undertaken in partnership with the Manikchand Foundation. Around 10,000 trees, including native varieties like banyan, peepal, and gulmohar, will be replanted to maintain ecological balance and support urban greening efforts.
Other Key Instructions
Shinde called for the MSRDC to actively participate in slum redevelopment initiatives similar to CIDCO and MMRDA. Additional directives included:
- Installing barricades at all ongoing construction sites
- Clearing debris and ensuring site safety
- Beautifying areas under flyovers with quality plantations
- Giving priority to pre-monsoon tasks and completing them on schedule
The meeting was attended by MSRDC Managing Director Anil Kumar Gaikwad and senior department officials who were instructed to act immediately on the roadmap discussed.
