Safety First, Says Narvekar
As the ambitious Missing Link project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway approaches its final stages, Maharashtra Legislative Council member Milind Narvekar
has penned a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Dated April 27, 2026, Narvekar commends the administration for bringing this significant infrastructure development close to completion. This new corridor is poised to drastically reduce travel duration between Mumbai and Pune and alleviate the persistent congestion on the accident-prone Bhor Ghat section. Despite the excitement surrounding the project's potential to cut journey times by approximately half an hour and ease traffic on steep ascents, Narvekar, who is also part of the Public Undertakings Committee, emphasizes that safety and technical preparedness must be paramount. He highlights the corridor's complex engineering, its location in an open valley exposed to strong winds, and its susceptibility to heavy rain and dense fog, underscoring the necessity for complete technical inspections and fully functional modern safety systems before allowing public access. Narvekar strongly advises against a rushed inauguration, urging that clear directives be issued to relevant authorities only after all safety validations are successfully passed.
Phased Rollout Proposed
Further elaborating on his concerns, Milind Narvekar has put forth a proposal for a staggered operational plan once the Missing Link project is deemed ready. He suggests that for an initial experimental period of at least six months, the new route should be exclusively accessible to passenger vehicles. During this time, heavy vehicles would continue to utilize the existing expressway. This recommendation stems from observations that the current ghat section frequently experiences slowdowns due to large, slow-moving transport vehicles. Moreover, Narvekar explicitly requests that tankers carrying fuel, flammable, or hazardous materials should be prohibited from using the new route under any circumstances, unless exhaustive safety assessments have been thoroughly conducted. He believes this cautious approach is crucial to prevent any potential future accidents on this vital transportation artery. The urgency of Narvekar's letter is amplified by recent events, including a past incident where a truck carrying flammable liquid caused a major traffic gridlock for over 24 hours on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, an experience that personally affected Narvekar during a trip from Baramati to Mumbai, compelling him to explore alternative travel arrangements and inspiring his focus on traffic safety.
Expert Insights Informing Caution
The timely intervention by Milind Narvekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, follows a period of personal reflection and consultation regarding traffic safety on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Narvekar's decision to delve into the complexities of the expressway's traffic issues was directly influenced by a significant incident he witnessed and experienced. While traveling from Baramati to Mumbai, a truck laden with flammable substances skidded, leading to a prolonged traffic jam that lasted more than a day. This disruption was so severe that Narvekar had to abandon his vehicle in Pune and opt for train travel to reach his destination in Mumbai. This firsthand account of the perils and inconveniences caused by such accidents spurred him to investigate the matter further. Subsequently, he engaged in discussions with various transport experts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential risks and challenges associated with high-speed corridors, particularly those traversing challenging terrains. It was based on these consultations and his informed assessment of the situation that Narvekar decided to formally bring his concerns to the attention of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, advocating for a meticulous and safety-conscious approach to the inauguration of the Missing Link project.
