Mumbai–Pune Expressway to Become 10-Lane Superhighway in ₹14,900 Crore Upgrade
In a major infrastructure push aimed at easing traffic congestion between Mumbai and Pune, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is planning on the expansion of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway from six lanes to ten. The project, with an estimated cost of ₹14,900 crore, is poised to become one of India’s most ambitious road upgrades, dramatically enhancing travel efficiency between two of Maharashtra’s economic powerhouses.
Currently handling over 65,000 vehicles daily on weekdays and more than one lakh on weekends, the 96-kilometre expressway has been witnessing an annual traffic growth of 5–6%, turning a once swift two-hour journey into a frustrating ordeal during weekends and holidays, often stretching up to three hours or more.
Project Details and Scope
The proposed expansion will cover 83 kilometres of the expressway — from Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai to Kiwale near Pune — excluding the ongoing 13-km “missing link” project in the Khandala Ghat, which is being widened to 14 lanes with new tunnels and viaducts.
According to Rajesh Patil, Joint Managing Director of MSRDC, a detailed proposal has already been presented to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a monsoon preparedness meeting. “The expansion aims to cater to future traffic demands while significantly reducing congestion,” he said.
Implementation and Funding
Due to the high cost, the project is expected to follow a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with financial modeling currently underway. Fortunately, land acquisition is expected to be minimal, as MSRDC already owns most of the land adjacent to the existing expressway. Additional land will only be required near tunnel zones.
Economic and Environmental Impacts
The Mumbai–Pune Expressway, India’s first access-controlled highway inaugurated in 2002, remains a critical logistics and commuter lifeline. Delays on this corridor affect fuel usage, transport efficiency, and worker productivity across sectors.
Transport planners expect the ten-lane configuration to reduce idling time, thereby cutting carbon emissions. There is also discussion around dedicated lanes for electric buses, freight movement, and emergency services, potentially making the route not only faster but also greener and safer.
However, environmental experts have raised red flags, urging parallel investments in sustainable transport alternatives like rail-based cargo corridors or EV-only routes. Environmental and forest clearances will likely be required, especially in hilly and ecologically sensitive areas.
The Road Ahead
If cleared and executed responsibly, the expansion could transform the expressway into a modern transit corridor that balances speed, capacity, safety, and sustainability. Urban planners are also advocating for complementary upgrades such as digitised tolls, intelligent traffic monitoring, and improved last-mile city connectivity to avoid urban bottlenecks at both Mumbai and Pune ends.
Commuters, freight operators, and citizens alike are watching closely — hopeful that this much-needed upgrade will finally deliver the seamless mobility experience the expressway once promised.
