Pune, Jul 12 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday called the under-construction “missing link” project of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway a modern engineering marvel and said it will be a bypass for the ghat section.
Once completed, the project is expected to cut travel time between Mumbai and Pune by nearly 30 minutes and reduce accidents, he said after reviewing the progress on the site.
The 94-km busy carriageway often witnesses traffic snarls in the Amritanjan Bridge section, where heavy vehicles slow down while negotiating the steep gradient. To avoid this stretch, the government has been developing a “missing link” between the ghat section and Lonavala.
The project includes India’s longest highway tunnel, measuring 9 km in length and 23 metres in width. It will also feature the country’s tallest road bridge at 185 metres, according to officials.
“This project eliminates the ghat section of the Expressway, which currently causes traffic bottlenecks and delays. Once operational, the Expressway journey will be far smoother and more efficient,” said the CM, calling the project a modern engineering marvel.
As of now, 94 per cent of the work has been completed, and the remaining construction will be finished soon, he said, praising the engineers and workers for their dedication under challenging conditions.
The travel time between Mumbai and Pune will reduce by 30 minutes after the ‘missing link’ becomes operational. It will be a bypass for the ghat section, with fewer accidents, better fuel efficiency and reduction in pollution, he said.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde called the project a “game changer”, emphasising that it is being built using state-of-the-art engineering in difficult terrain with fluctuating atmospheric pressure.
“This project will not only enhance commuter safety but also contribute to fuel savings and reduce environmental impact,” he added. PTI MR NR
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