The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, India’s first access-controlled expressway, is now set for a major upgrade. The existing six-lane highway will soon be expanded to ten lanes, reducing traffic jams and making travel safer and faster for lakhs of daily commuters. The ambitious project is being spearheaded by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), with an estimated cost of around Rs 14,000 crore. The project proposal has been prepared and sent for the state cabinet’s approval. Once approved, the work will be carried out in phases.
The 94.5-km-long expressway connects Mumbai and Pune, two major economic and cultural hubs. The route has experienced a surge in traffic over the years, particularly on weekends, holidays, and during peak hours, resulting in frequent congestion, delays, and accidents. To ease the pressure, it is planned to add two additional lanes on either side. This will not only improve the traffic flow but will also reduce travel time, and the chances of accidents caused by sudden braking and lane changing will also be reduced.
