With the May 1 deadline just a week away, engineers and laborers are working around the clock to complete the ₹6,695 crore “Missing Link” project. Designed to bypass the congested and accident-prone 19.8 km Ghat stretch between Khalapur and Kusgaon, the new route promises to slash travel time between Mumbai and Pune by at least 30 minutes.
Despite the looming deadline, the project has faced recent hurdles due to the conflict in West Asia, which has disrupted the supply of critical construction materials.
Supply Chain Challenges
The final stages of the project involve laying bitumen on the massive cable-stayed bridge, but global tensions have made procurement difficult and expensive. Bitumen prices, which were around ₹48,000–₹51,000 per tonne in March, have reportedly surged by over 50%. Both bitumen and waterproofing materials are in limited supply, causing minor delays of two to four days. While MSRDC initially hoped to finish by April 25, the target has now shifted to a firm May 1 completion for all physical works.
Engineering Marvel: The 13.3 km Alignment
The “Missing Link” is a sophisticated feat of engineering that replaces steep inclines and winding turns with a high-speed corridor:
- Tunnels: Two massive tunnels, including one stretching 9 km through the hills and under Lonavala Lake.
- Cable-Stayed Bridge: A 640 m bridge towering 180 m above Tiger Valley.
- Viaducts: An 850 m viaduct to smooth out the terrain.
Official Outlook
Rajesh Patil, Joint Managing Director of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), confirmed that while supply issues set them back slightly, the team is “trying their best to meet the deadline.”
While construction is expected to wrap up by May 1, a formal inauguration date has yet to be finalized. Once open, the link will allow commuters to bypass the heavy tourist traffic of Lonavala and Khandala, offering a straighter, safer, and significantly faster journey.
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