Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link Opening Likely Delayed Amid Supply Disruptions

Bitumen shortage and rising costs linked to West Asia conflict may push project beyond May 1 deadline

The much-anticipated Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link project may miss its planned May 1 inauguration, as supply disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia have begun affecting construction work.

According to officials from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the availability of bitumen—an essential material used for road surfacing—has become a major challenge over the past two weeks. Prices have surged by nearly 50% due to disrupted imports from key supplier nations, including Iraq, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait.

This shortage has slowed down the final phase of the project, especially the surfacing work on the two cable-stayed bridges. While tunnels and approach roads were completed earlier, the bridges were structurally finished only in mid-March, leaving their top layers yet to be completed.

In addition, the supply of light diesel oil, which is used to run construction machinery, has also been impacted, further delaying finishing work.

Some MSRDC officials have indicated that the inauguration may need to be postponed if the situation does not improve. However, efforts are still being made to meet the deadline. Contractors have been asked to finish the remaining work by April 25, with load testing of the bridges scheduled for April 30.

The 13.3-km Missing Link project aims to provide a faster and safer route between Khopoli and Kusgaon, bypassing the busy and accident-prone ghat section of the existing expressway. It includes two tunnels and two cable-stayed bridges, each around 650 metres long.

Although most of the major construction work is complete, finishing touches such as lighting, painting, and bridge surfacing are still underway. The final opening date will now depend on how quickly material supplies stabilise amid the ongoing global situation.