New link may remain off-limit for heavy vehicles even after six months

Pune: The Mumbai-Pune Expressway’s ‘Missing Link’ corridor is unlikely to be opened to heavy vehicles even after the planned six-month review. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has indicated that the current traffic arrangement was functioning effectively and might continue.Inaugurated on May 1, the 13.3km corridor has been opened exclusively to passenger vehicles and buses. MSRDC had initially planned to review the arrangement after six months before taking a call on allowing trucks and other heavy vehicles. Officials, however, now suggest that the existing system has significantly improved traffic flow, making any immediate change unlikely.Around 80% of the expressway’s traffic, mainly cars and buses, is currently using the corridor, while heavy vehicles and those transporting hazardous materials continue to use the older ghat section. “The arrangement is functioning smoothly and helping avoid congestion,” a senior MSRDC official said.The Rs 6,695-crore project includes two tunnels measuring 8.9km and 1.9km, one of which is among Asia’s longest road tunnels, as well as a 650-metre cable-stayed bridge over Tiger Valley.