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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

Missing Link on Mumbai–Pune Expressway: A Critical Infrastructure Push

Mumbai: The over 30-plus hour traffic jam on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway on Wednesday and Thursday, has once again underscored the urgent need for the long-pending “Missing Link” project — a strategic intervention aimed at eliminating chronic congestion, particularly along the vulnerable Khandala-Lonavala ghat stretch. The unprecedented disruption, triggered by an overturned gas tanker near the Adoshi tunnel, left thousands stranded for over a day and exposed deep structural bottlenecks in...

Missing Link on Mumbai–Pune Expressway: A Critical Infrastructure Push

Mumbai: The over 30-plus hour traffic jam on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway on Wednesday and Thursday, has once again underscored the urgent need for the long-pending “Missing Link” project — a strategic intervention aimed at eliminating chronic congestion, particularly along the vulnerable Khandala-Lonavala ghat stretch. The unprecedented disruption, triggered by an overturned gas tanker near the Adoshi tunnel, left thousands stranded for over a day and exposed deep structural bottlenecks in Maharashtra’s most vital intercity corridor. Chaos That Exposed Infrastructure Gaps The crisis illustrated how a single accident can paralyse the entire expressway for hours — or even days. Commuters reported limited emergency support, slow vehicle movement and widespread frustration as the traffic jam extended beyond 30 hours. Experts and transport planners argue that the existing ghat section remains highly vulnerable due to steep gradients, merging traffic streams and limited bypass options. Consequently, when accidents occur, there are few alternative alignments to divert vehicles, leading to cascading traffic failure across the corridor. Why the Missing Link Is a Structural Solution The 13-km-plus Missing Link project, being implemented by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), is designed precisely to address such systemic weaknesses. By bypassing accident-prone curves and congested mountain stretches, the project aims to reduce travel distance by about 6 km and save roughly 20–30 minutes under normal conditions — with even greater gains during peak congestion. The new alignment includes two major tunnels, cable-stayed bridges and modern viaducts engineered to allow smoother traffic flow while minimising landslide risks and bottlenecks. Urban mobility experts note that had the Missing Link been operational, a significant portion of traffic could have been diverted away from the accident site, potentially reducing the scale and duration of the recent gridlock. Current Project Status and Completion Outlook After multiple delays due to engineering challenges, weather conditions and complex terrain, MSRDC has pushed the completion target to early 2026, with tunnelling work largely finished and bridge construction nearing completion. Authorities have repeatedly emphasised that the project is nearing completion, with overall progress crossing the mid-90% mark in recent updates. Rajesh Patil, Joint Managing Director, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) said, " We will complete the project by April 2026 end. We have completed 97% of the project and only 3% of the work remains.” Strategic Implications for Mobility and Safety Once operational, the Missing Link is expected to significantly reduce congestion in the ghat section — historically the weakest link in the Mumbai–Pune transport ecosystem. The project will not only improve travel reliability but also enhance road safety by eliminating dangerous hairpin bends and steep inclines that contribute to accidents and frequent traffic standstills. In broader economic terms, smoother intercity mobility is crucial for logistics efficiency, tourism flows and industrial connectivity between Maharashtra’s two largest economic hubs. The traffic nightmare has reinforced a long-standing truth: Maharashtra’s busiest expressway cannot rely on legacy infrastructure alone. The Missing Link project is no longer just a capacity upgrade — it is an operational necessity to ensure resilience against accidents, disasters and surging traffic demand. With completion now targeted for April 2026, its timely commissioning will be critical in restoring commuter confidence, reducing systemic vulnerability and future-proofing one of India’s most strategically important highways.

'Everything in excess is pollution'

IIT Bombay Director Dr. Shireesh B. Kedare
IIT Bombay Director Dr. Shireesh B. Kedare

Mumbai: “The extreme of anything becomes pollution.” With this powerful axiom, Prof. Dr. Shireesh B. Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, opened a roadmap for the future of urban India at the Harit Samvad symposium.


Addressing a diverse audience of over 190 delegates at the NSE Auditorium in BKC on Sunday, Dr. Kedare moved beyond traditional environmental rhetoric to deliver a data-driven wake-up call regarding the planet’s disturbed energy balance.


Dr. Kedare identified excessive consumption as the primary driver of the modern environmental crisis. He noted that while pollution and climate change are distinct, they are inextricably linked by human activity that has pushed natural systems to their breaking point.


He drew urgent attention to Carbon dioxide levels, which have now surpassed 425 ppm, creating a greenhouse effect that destabilizes global weather cycles.


He warned of the "silent" crises—micro-plastic infiltration in food chains, land degradation, and the rapid erosion of biodiversity.


He also warned of the energy imbalance, while stressing that this shift is not just academic; but it results in the extreme climate events and unpredictable natural cycles currently witnessed across the MMR region.


Shifting focus to solutions, Dr. Kedare argued that sustainability cannot be achieved through policy alone; it requires a fundamental shift in the "unit of action"—the individual and the family.


First comes Systematic Measurement. Dr. Kedare advocated for the "democratization of data," urging citizens to use modern apps and technology to measure - Daily water and energy consumption; Personal and household carbon footprints and Waste generation metrics.


He also suggested a set of practical everyday actions. He called for a return to simplicity, emphasizing that real change begins with reducing needs rather than just managing waste.


Key recommendations included - prioritizing walking and use of public transport; implementing household-level composting and biogas generation and opting for local, organic, and skill-based products over mass-produced goods.


Dr Kedare also stressed on the power of collective transition. Emphasizing India’s historical strength in traditional knowledge, Dr. Kedare concluded that the path to a "Harit" (Green) Mumbai lies in structured, step-by-step collaboration. He noted that lasting environmental transitions only occur when families, neighbourhoods, and institutions work in tandem.


Organized by My Green Society (MGS) the event was a vibrant display of collective spirit of ‘Symposium of Action’. From the Mangrove Foundation’s conservation reports to Godrej & Boyce’s net-zero corporate strategies, the forum echoed Dr. Kedare’s call for a multi-sectoral approach.


The day concluded with a practical example of the circular economy: participants received THELU bags—upcycled from five-star hotel linens by tribal women in Palghar—proving that the remedies Dr. Kedare spoke of are already being woven into the fabric of Mumbai’s community action.

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