In a move to ease the ever-growing traffic snarls on one of India’s busiest highways, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has proposed a major upgrade to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway — transforming it into a 10-lane superhighway from six lanes.
The expressway, a vital 96-kilometer stretch connecting the bustling metropolis of Mumbai to the industrial and educational hub of Pune, currently carries an estimated 65,000 vehicles daily on weekdays. That number spikes to over 100,000 on weekends. With traffic volume increasing by approximately 5–6% annually, MSRDC’s proposed expansion is being seen as a long-term solution to mounting congestion.
Rajesh Patil, Joint Managing Director of MSRDC, confirmed that a detailed plan has been presented to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a recent monsoon preparedness review meeting. “The expansion aims to cater to future traffic demands while significantly reduce congestion ,” said Patil.
At present, the journey between Mumbai and Pune takes about two hours under normal conditions. However, weekend rush hours and holiday traffic can stretch that drive by an additional hour. According to MSRDC, the proposed expansion could virtually eliminate this extended travel time, offering smoother rides even during peak periods.
The project, estimated to cost Rs 14,900 crore, involves widening the current infrastructure. Financial modeling is underway, but the high cost means it will likely be implemented through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The expressway — which begins in Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai and ends at Kiwale near Pune — is India’s first access-controlled highway, inaugurated in 2002. While the 13-km “missing link” project is already underway, which will facilitate 14 lanes in Khandala Ghat section, the propose expansion would cover the remaining 83 kilometers of the route.
Importantly, land acquisition challenges are expected to be minimal. “MSRDC already holds land adjacent to most parts of the existing expressway. Only limited additional land will be needed near the tunnel zones,” said an official involved with the project.
If approved and executed as envisioned, this expansion could become one of India’s most ambitious road infrastructure upgrades — a critical step toward matching the country's rapid growth in vehicle ownership with high-capacity transit corridors.
