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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.

Omar welcomes Indus Water Treaty suspension, calls it “most unfair document” for J&K



SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday welcomed the Central government’s decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives. He also referred to the treaty as the “most unfair document” for the people of J&K.


“The Government of India has taken some steps. As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, let’s be honest. We have never been in favour of the Indus Waters Treaty. We have always believed it to be the most unfair document to people of J&K,” Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar after meeting representatives from the tourism, trade, and industry sectors. However, he noted that the long-term impact of this move is still uncertain.


The IWT suspension is part of India’s response to the brutal attack. Other actions include expelling Pakistani military attaches and shutting down the Attari land-transit point immediately.


When questioned about the impact of the April 22 attack on the region’s tourism industry, Abdullah dismissed concerns about monetary losses. “At this juncture, we are not counting rupees or paisa. Not one of the businessmen or stakeholders in the tourism industry who attended the meeting lamented the loss of business. Not one of them expressed any concern about what would happen to them.”


“Right now, our priority is to express solidarity with the bereaved,” he said, adding, “At some point in future, we may sit down to discuss the financial implications (of the attack) on J&K’s economy. But not a single stakeholder present in the meeting raised a demand for monetary relief for the losses they are suffering.”


Omar described the tourist exodus from J&K after the massacre as “heartbreaking”. The future of the Valley’s tourism sector remains uncertain, with widespread trip cancellations following the attack.

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