How Will the ‘Missing Link Project’ Transform Travel Between Mumbai and Pune?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The 'Missing Link Project' aims to enhance connectivity between Mumbai and Pune.
- It features India's longest tunnel and tallest bridge.
- Travel time between the two cities will be reduced by half an hour.
- 94% of the project work has been completed.
- The project promises to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce pollution.
Pune, July 12 (NationPress) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Saturday that the ‘Missing Link Project’ on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway aims to significantly shorten travel distance between these two major cities, benefitting commuters.
He emphasized that the challenging ghat section of the highway will be circumvented, thereby resolving traffic congestion problems stemming from the ghat road.
“Upon completion, this expressway will provide a hassle-free travel experience. The initiative includes three tunnels, one of which spans an impressive 9 km and measures 23 m in width, making it the longest tunnel in India, surpassing the previous record held by the Samruddhi Highway tunnel,” he highlighted.
The Chief Minister also mentioned the construction of an exceptionally tall bridge, standing at 185 m, which will become the highest bridge ever built in the nation, marking a significant achievement.
“The Missing Link Project on the Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai-Pune Expressway is an extraordinary engineering accomplishment,” the Chief Minister stated while inspecting the project alongside Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
He noted that this project will halve the travel time between Pune and Mumbai.
“The project, managed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, is progressing exceptionally well,” he asserted.
According to him, 94% of the work has been completed, and the remaining tasks will be finished promptly, praising the engineers and workers striving under challenging conditions.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister remarked that the ‘Missing Link Project’ employs cutting-edge technology and will serve as a transformative initiative.
He indicated that given the atmospheric and air-pressure conditions, numerous engineers are tackling very difficult working environments.
“Once this project is operational, travel between Mumbai and Pune will be expedited by half an hour, traffic issues in the ghat section will be alleviated, and accidents will be minimized,” he stated.
The Deputy Chief Minister further noted that this expressway project will conserve fuel, decrease pollution, and drive development both in the nation and specifically in Maharashtra.