Mumbai-Pune Expressway Expansion: Four New Lanes Planned to Cut Traffic and Boost Travel
The Maharashtra Government is preparing a major upgrade for the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The proposed Mumbai-Pune Expressway expansion aims to add four new lanes to the existing six-lane corridor. This will reduce congestion on one of the busiest highways in the state and improve overall travel efficiency. The project is expected to cost around ₹14,260 crore.
Government Prepares Formal Proposal
According to a senior MSRDC official, the proposal for the Mumbai-Pune Expressway expansion is being finalised for submission. Once the state government gives the green signal and tendering begins, the upgraded expressway is expected to be ready by 2030.
The state is likely to fund 40 percent of the project cost. The remaining amount will be taken up by the infrastructure company that wins the contract.
The proposal also includes an extension of the toll-collection period beyond April 30, 2045, after government approval.
Missing Link Nears Inauguration
The 13.3 km missing link on the expressway is almost ready and may open early next year. This stretch will bypass the crowded Khandala and Lonavla ghat sections, improving safety and reducing breakdowns on steep slopes.
At present, vehicles between Khopoli and Sinhgad Institute travel 19 km through the old ghat route, where bottlenecks and landslides are common. The missing link will cut travel time between Mumbai and Pune by at least 30 minutes, making the Mumbai-Pune Expressway expansion even more impactful.
What Commuters Can Expect
- Smoother traffic flow
- Reduced travel time
- Safer journey through bypassed ghat sections
- A modernised, wider expressway by 2030
