05 June,2026 08:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
The wind barriers being installed along the cable-stayed bridge section. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
In a major safety upgrade for motorists heading toward Pune and back, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has officially commenced work on installing advanced windscreens along the massive cable-stayed bridge section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway âmissing link' project.
The specialised windshields are being set up on either side as a buffer for smaller vehicles from high-velocity crosswinds that risk causing cars to skid, drift laterally, or even topple over while crossing the deep valley.
On-site installation of the specialised windscreens has already commenced. "These barriers are specifically designed to break the wind's velocity, eliminating sudden lateral thrusts and ensuring total stability for motorists crossing the gorge even during severe monsoons or cyclonic conditions," said Patil.
Rajesh Patil, joint managing director of MSRDC, told mid-day that the 650-metre-long cable-stayed bridge over Tiger Valley stands at an unprecedented height, featuring massive 182-metre pylons that leave the corridor completely exposed to high-velocity mountain gales. "We have observed instances where wind speeds can escalate up to 100 kmph within minutes. At such high altitudes, strong crosswinds create a severe risk of lateral vehicle movement, which can cause smaller cars to drift across lanes, skid, or even topple," Patil explained.
According to Patil, the goal is to achieve long-term climate resilience. "Over the recent past, there has been a visible spike in intense cyclonic storms forming in both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Because this infrastructure is engineered for a 100-year design life, we must look ahead and be fully prepared for future extreme weather events," Patil said, adding that authorities have also invited tenders for providing telecom network connectivity inside the tunnels.
