Pune: India’s first expressway, connecting Mumbai and Pune, is set to become an even smoother route for lakhs of motorists. The much-awaited Missing Link, designed to bypass the treacherous ghat section, is nearing completion and is expected to be unveiled by July 2024. It is estimated that around 85% of the current expressway traffic will opt for the new route.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has undertaken the impressive Rs 6,695-crore project, which has been recognized by Guinness World Records for featuring the world’s widest twin tunnels. These tunnels span over 10 lanes, measuring 47 meters in width. The daylighting process for the tunnels, divided into two stretches of 8.9 km and 1.7 km, has been successfully completed. The final phase involves constructing the country’s tallest cable-stayed road link, situated in the scenic Tiger Valley of Lonavala. The construction of pylons, with an average height of 132 meters and a maximum height of 182 meters, and connecting pillars for the bridge are currently in their final stages, according to Rahul Vasaikar, the project’s superintending engineer.
The 12.1 km Missing Link project aims to bypass the 19 km Khandala ghat section of the expressway, reducing the distance between Mumbai and Pune by over 6 km and travel time by nearly 30 minutes. This reduction will result in significant fuel and carbon savings as the ghat section consumes fuel due to the ascent and traffic congestion. Although the toll structure for the expressway will remain unchanged, motorists will be required to pay tolls for an additional 15 years beyond the existing toll contract period, which was initially scheduled to end in 2030.
In addition to the Missing Link, several other planned or under-construction augmentation projects, such as the Shedung-Palaspe link, three flyovers between Palaspe and Chirle, the MTHL, and the Sewri-Worli connector, will further reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune by approximately 90 minutes when completed. Once all these projects are commissioned, it will be possible to drive from Worli in Mumbai to Koregaon Park in Pune in less than 90 minutes, significantly reducing the current travel time of nearly four hours during peak traffic.
Anil Gaikwad, Joint MD of MSRDC, stated that the project experienced a delay of 22 months due to setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite operating with reduced staff during that time, the dedicated efforts of the team over the past year have ensured that the project will be completed by the middle of next year, earlier than the previously estimated timeline of the end of 2024. Construction work on the Missing Link is 71% complete, with tunnel works reaching 90% completion. The bridge section is being constructed by Afcons, a prominent infrastructure company, while Navayuga Engineering, another infrastructure giant, is responsible for the tunnel construction.
In addition to the tunnel-bridge section, plans are underway to expand the six-lane expressway to accommodate two extra lanes on each side, creating an eight-lane expressway that matches the width of the tunnels and bridges currently under construction. Widening work is already in progress between Sinhagad Institute towards Pune and Khalapur toll post towards Mumbai, along with the creation of approach roads, slip roads, and related infrastructure, according to Rakesh Sonawane, Executive Engineer at MSRDC.
The project has incorporated advanced construction techniques to ensure efficient and safe travel. Jump formwork technology has been utilized for the pylons of the cable-stayed bridge, allowing for concurrent construction of the vertical and horizontal parts of the structure, reducing costs and improving construction speed. Controlled blasting techniques have been employed for tunnel construction instead of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) due to the Austrian blasting method’s speed and cost-effectiveness. The Lonavala hills’ low population density made controlled blasting a suitable choice for MSRDC.
To prioritize safety, the tunnel section will feature a sensor-based automated water mist system to extinguish fires or maintain safety if the temperature inside reaches 65°C. The tunnels will also have 24×7 SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) monitoring for commuter safety. Additionally, cellphone and FM signals will be received even in the deepest sections of the tunnels. Advanced ventilation systems, public address systems for emergency announcements and traffic direction, and diesel generators for continuous power supply will be installed.
Safety remains a top priority, and the 8.9 km section of the second tunnel stretch will include evacuation joints that internally connect the parallel tunnels every 300 meters. These joints will provide approximately 28 evacuation shafts for vehicles in case of major congestion or accidents, ensuring enhanced safety for commuters.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway’s forthcoming world’s widest tunnels will revolutionize travel for motorists and significantly improve connectivity between the two cities. With various projects aimed at reducing travel time, the region is witnessing remarkable infrastructure development that will transform the commuting experience and boost economic growth.
