The new route is almost ready, promising a smoother drive between Pune and Mumbai.
This new route will cut down the travel distance by about 13.3 kilometers. It includes a 19.8-kilometer tunnel from Khopoli to Sinhagad Institute in Lonavala. They’ve already wrapped up nearly 90% of the work. One standout feature is a 130-meter-high cable-stayed bridge, where they’re currently working on the concrete.
However, some challenges have popped up. A senior official from the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company mentioned that strong winds and unexpected rain have slowed things down. They can’t work during the monsoon, so the team is racing to finish by June 2025.
Right now, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and National Highway 4 meet near the Khalapur toll plaza in Lonavala. This area often sees traffic jams due to steep inclines and landslides during the rainy season. To tackle these issues, MSRDC is building this new 13.3-kilometer route to help ease congestion.
Officials are hopeful about completing the project on time. Once it opens, it should make the drive between Pune and Mumbai a lot smoother.
