Pune, May 1 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday inaugurated the new lane on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

However, due to the inauguration ceremony, the highway witnessed unprecedented traffic congestion, causing the event to start slightly later than scheduled.

This 13-km stretch, previously referred to as the ‘Missing Link,’ was rechristened by the Chief Minister, who urged people to call it the ‘Connecting Link’ instead. The Rs 7,181 crore Mumbai-Pune ‘Missing Link’ project will not only reduce travel distance and time, thereby eliminating traffic jams, but also create an economy worth Rs 70,000 crore.

CM Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar accepted the certificate from Guinness World Records for the world’s widest underground tunnel, measuring 22.33 metres in width, constructed in the Lonavala area as part of the Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai-Pune Expressway Capacity Augmentation under the ‘Missing Link’ project.

“This project is an outstanding example of modern engineering prowess, set to provide a straighter, faster, and safer route by reducing the winding and hazardous journey through the ghat section. As a result, travel time will be significantly reduced, while also achieving fuel savings and environmental benefits,” said the CM in his speech.

According to CM, the ‘Connecting Link’ between Kusgaon and Khopoli is expected to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune by 25 to 30 minutes and shorten the distance by 6 kms. He lauded the engineers of the MSRDC (Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation) for creating an “engineering miracle.”

“The project features the world’s highest cablestayed bridge at a height of 182 metres. The route is expected to save crores of rupees in fuel costs daily,” he noted.

The Chief Minister shared that seven countries contributed to the construction of this bridge including design by Canada (Original design) and Taiwan (Drafting), testing by Denmark (Wind testing) and Austria (Cable testing at Vienna University), production by Malaysia (Cables) and Austria/Godrej (Safety barriers) and expertise by Singapore (Cable experts) and Austria (Verification consultants).

Addressing the engineering challenges, CM Fadnavis noted that the bridge is built to withstand extreme weather. While recent cyclones like ‘Nisarga’ saw wind speeds of 130–155 kmph, this bridge is designed to remain stable even at wind speeds of 240 kmph.

He criticised the previous government, stating that although the idea was proposed in 2010, it was stalled by a report citing 13 reasons why the project was “impossible” including the claim that it couldn’t pass under Lonavala Lake. He credited the Mahayuti government for overturning that decision in 2015 and initiating the work.

The Chief Minister drew a parallel to history, noting that the project site is where the Battle of Umberkhind took place in 1661. In this battle, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj led 5,000 Marathas to defeat Kartalab Khan’s massive Mughal army. He described the location as “historically significant and sacred.”

Acknowledging the heavy traffic caused by the event, the Chief Minister apologised to the public. He specifically addressed MP Supriya Sule, who was also stuck in the jam. “I want to tell Supriya Sule that this is the last time you will be stuck in traffic here. The ‘Connecting Link’ is now ready. Your government didn’t do this work; our Mahayuti government has delivered it,” he remarked.

CM Fadnavis reiterated that the ‘Connecting Link’ is now expected to provide long-term relief from the chronic traffic issues of the Khandala-Lonavala ghat section, once the initial inauguration-day surge subsides.

–IANS

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