Goods Vehicle Ban on Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link Made Permanent; New Speed Limits for Passenger Vehicles Announced
Authorities have permanently banned all goods carriers, including pickup vans and Tata Ace vehicles, from the 13.3-km Missing Link (now called ‘connecting link’) stretch on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway from November 1, 2026.
Earlier, this ban was for 6 months from the date of opening of the missing link, i.e., from May 1 to November 1.
The new rules also cap maximum speed limits at 100 km/h for private cars and light motor vehicles and 80 km/h for passenger buses.
The order was issued on October 26 by Maharashtra Additional Director General of Police (Traffic) Praveen Salunke under Section 112(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The restrictions will remain in force until further orders.
Under the notification, all goods carriers and vehicles transporting flammable, explosive or other dangerous materials are prohibited from using the Missing Link. Restricted goods vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles and hazardous cargo transporters must continue using the existing alignment of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
The authorities have also directed motorists to observe the prescribed speed limits and exercise extra caution while driving through the tunnels. A 5% speed tolerance has been allowed for taking legal cognizance of speed violations under Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act. This tolerance does not change the officially notified speed limits.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has been directed to install speed limit and regulatory signboards at strategic locations along the route. The notification has also been sent to the relevant police commissioners, Highway Safety Patrol units, regional transport authorities and district administrations. Highway Safety Patrol officers have warned that violations will attract strict action.
Officially designated the Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link, the 13.3-km route connects Khopoli and Kusgaon. It was built to bypass the landslide- and accident-prone Khandala-Lonavala ghat section and ease traffic congestion on the expressway. The route, featuring long twin tunnels and a cable-stayed bridge, reduces the overall journey by approximately 6 km and is expected to save 20 to 30 minutes of travel time.
The Missing Link was initially opened on May 1, 2026, under a trial arrangement that permitted only light motor vehicles and passenger buses until October 31. The latest notification formalises the vehicle restrictions and speed limits into permanent regulations effective November 1, 2026, until further orders.
