‘Connecting Link’ opens on Mumbai-Pune Expressway

The Guinness Book of Records has recognised it as the widest underground road tunnel in the world

The ambitious ‘Connecting Link' project, aimed at making travel on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway safer, smoother and faster, was inaugurated on May 1 by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.

Fadnavis said the project would be a game-changer, attracting investments worth Rs 70,000 crore and boosting economic development in the region.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde, and Sunetra Pawar, at the inauguration and ribbon-cutting ceremony near Khopoli exit in Khalapur, Raigad, on Friday. Pics/Satej Shinde

Speaking at the event, he said, "The dream we had envisioned for Mumbai-Pune Expressway commuters has finally become a reality, and this engineering marvel will help boost economic growth."

Name shift

CM added, "The ‘Missing Link' should be called the ‘Connecting Link', as it links two crucial locations." The CM also said the Guinness Book of Records has recognised it as the widest underground road tunnel in the world, while the cable-stayed bridge stands as another engineering feat.

Fadnavis said strict lane discipline will be enforced, warning of heavy fines for violations

Political swipe

Responding to a post by NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, Fadnavis said, "I would like to apologise to Supriya tai for being stuck in traffic on the Expressway. Going forward, she won't face this issue."

He added, "There is a difference between the earlier government and us. The project was planned in 2010, but in 2014, the then government said it could not be done, citing 13 reasons, including alignment below Lonavala Lake. In 2015, we decided to move ahead."

Strict rules

Fadnavis warned that strict lane discipline will be enforced, with heavy fines for violations. He added that the project involved technological and engineering inputs from seven countries.

Project history

. The Mumbai-Pune Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway opened in phases in 2002. The original 1996-97 plan proposed a 13.30 km ‘Missing Link' between Khalapur and Kusgaon (Sinhgad Institute), but financial and technical constraints delayed its execution.

Bridge design

A 650-metre cable-stayed bridge in Tiger Valley connects the tunnels at a height of nearly 125 metres. It features two pylons of 182 metres and 240 stay cables, and underwent international wind, fatigue and tensile testing.

Route upgrade

The stretch between Adoshi Tunnel and Khandala exit currently handles ten lanes, often disrupted by steep gradients and monsoon-triggered landslides. The project includes a widened 5.86 km eight-lane section between Khalapur and Khopoli, and a 13.30 km stretch with two tunnels and two viaducts, forming a 19.16 km corridor. Approved on August 29, 2018, it involved a capital outlay of R6695.36 crore under a Special Purpose Vehicle.

Tunnel facts

The two tunnels were built using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method across the Sahyadri ranges, each 23.50 metres wide.
Tunnel 1: 1.58 km
Tunnel 2: 8.86 km
passing 180 metres below Lonavala Lake

Impact ahead

. The new route bypasses accident-prone ghat sections, improving safety and travel time.
. Fuel savings are estimated at R1 crore daily, alongside reduced emissions. The project is expected to strengthen connectivity across western Maharashtra, Konkan, and Marathwada.