Mumbai-Pune Missing Link: Fines Begin

Mumbai: The newly opened Mumbai-Pune Missing Link on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway has already come under strict surveillance, with highway police initiating action within 48 hours of its launch. Tourists and motorists stopping vehicles to click photos and shoot reels are now facing legal penalties.

According to officials, at least 15 drivers were fined on Saturday for halting vehicles inside tunnels and on bridges, violating safety norms. The crackdown comes as several commuters were seen risking lives for social media content.

The 13.3 km stretch between Khopoli and Kusgaon is considered a modern engineering marvel. It features two of the world’s widest tunnels, recorded in the Guinness World Records, and India’s tallest cable-stayed bridge. However, its scenic appeal has led to dangerous behavior by visitors.

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Highway Police Superintendent Tanaji Chikhale stated that the route is access-controlled, with speed limits between 80–100 km/h. “Stopping vehicles on such high-speed corridors is not only illegal but extremely dangerous,” he said. Offenders are being fined ₹500 under Sections 122 and 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has clarified that the Missing Link is a transport corridor, not a tourist destination. Senior official Rahul Vasaikar urged travelers to avoid stopping vehicles for safety reasons.

The project, delayed by four years, has seen its cost rise from ₹6,695 crore to ₹7,180 crore. Despite delays, it is expected to significantly reduce travel time and ease congestion between Mumbai and Pune.

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