Fadnavis Defends Mumbai-Pune Missing Link, Says Landslide Won't Define Engineering Feat

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday defended the Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link project after a recent landslide temporarily shut the route, saying major infrastructure projects should not be judged by isolated incidents.

Replying to a discussion on heavy rains and flood management in the state assembly, Fadnavis said engineering challenges are inevitable and compared the project with the Konkan Railway , which experienced recurring landslides in its early years before safety improvements resolved the issue.

The 13.3-km Missing Link , opened on May 1 , is a new alignment on the 94-km Mumbai-Pune Expressway that bypasses the accident-prone Lonavala-Khandala ghat section . It is called the "Missing Link" because it completes the final uninterrupted high-speed stretch of the expressway, replacing a winding bottleneck with two twin tunnels , India's widest cable-stayed bridge , and viaducts designed to withstand winds of up to 170 kmph . The project shortens the route by 5.7 km and reduces travel time by 20-30 minutes .

Traffic on the stretch remained suspended for over 18 hours after a landslide triggered by heavy rain on Monday. Fadnavis said IIT experts have recommended additional slope protection measures, including wire mesh at vulnerable locations, and the government will implement them to prevent similar incidents.

Calling the project an engineering marvel , the chief minister said it has already reduced accidents and improved traffic flow through the ghat section. He also accused some television commentators and social media users of spreading misinformation about the project.

On Mumbai's flood management, Fadnavis said the state has submitted a ₹13,000-crore Integrated Flood Control Plan to the Centre. Once approved, it aims to eliminate around 370 flood-prone locations , while stricter monitoring of desilting works and greater transparency in civic contracts are expected to strengthen the city's resilience to extreme weather.