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Pune-Mumbai Expressway 10-Laning Faces Delay As MSRDC Ordered To Conduct Fresh Surveys Before Expansion

  • Writer: Ajjay Bhagyakar
    Ajjay Bhagyakar
  • 5 minutes ago
  • 2 min read
Pune-Mumbai Expressway 10-Laning Faces Delay As MSRDC Ordered To Conduct Fresh Surveys Before Expansion. The ₹14,260-crore project to widen the 94.6-km expressway from six to 10 lanes is likely to be delayed after MSRDC was directed to conduct fresh surveys. The additional assessment may push back approvals and construction, despite rising traffic pressure on the Mumbai–Pune corridor.

The ambitious plan to transform the Pune–Mumbai Expressway from six lanes to a 10-lane corridor has hit a fresh hurdle. The Maharashtra Cabinet Infrastructure Committee has directed the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to conduct additional surveys before the expansion plan can move ahead. The fresh exercise is expected to take at least a month, pushing back the earlier construction schedule.

Why Is the 10-Laning Project Important?

The 94.6-km Pune–Mumbai Expressway, connecting Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai with Kiwale near Pune, is one of Maharashtra’s most critical road corridors. Opened in 2002, it now carries around 65,000 vehicles on weekdays and more than 1 lakh on weekends, with traffic continuing to grow by approximately 5–6% annually.


The proposed expansion aims to increase capacity, strengthen the existing 24-year-old expressway and create a more uniform 10-lane corridor capable of handling rising traffic demand, Pune-Mumbai Expressway 10-Laning Faces Delay As MSRDC Ordered To Conduct Fresh Surveys Before Expansion.

Construction Start Pushed Back

MSRDC had earlier planned to begin the widening work after the monsoon, with September 2026 considered a possible starting point. However, the fresh survey requirement means construction is now unlikely to begin this year under the earlier timeline.


The project is estimated to cost around ₹14,260 crore. MSRDC has proposed raising funds through financial institutions, while also considering an extension of the existing toll collection period from 2045 to 2060 to support project financing.

A Corridor Becoming More Important

The timing of the expansion is significant. The opening of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link, along with the growth of Navi Mumbai International Airport and increasing movement between Mumbai and Pune, is expected to further strengthen traffic demand on the corridor. The 13.3-km Missing Link bypasses the congested Lonavala–Khandala ghat section.


MSRDC has proposed executing the widening in phases so that traffic can continue moving during construction.

The Bigger Picture Pune-Mumbai Expressway 10-Laning Faces Delay As MSRDC Ordered To Conduct Fresh Surveys Before Expansion

The Pune–Mumbai Expressway is more than just a highway—it is a critical economic connection linking Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune.


Although the fresh surveys may delay the project, they are intended to ensure that the expansion plan is thoroughly assessed before construction begins.


With traffic rising and Maharashtra’s two major economic hubs becoming increasingly interconnected, the 10-laning of the Pune–Mumbai Expressway could play a crucial role in shaping the region’s next phase of infrastructure-led growth. 

Published by: Griha Realty

Source: Swarajya

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