Special Correspondent
Pune : The much-anticipated “Missing Link” project on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway will significantly boost the economic momentum across Pune, Mumbai, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), asserted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He emphasized that the new infrastructure corridor will enable faster connectivity and unlock the region’s economic potential.
CM Fadnavis was speaking at the launch of the book “Pratham Manus”, authored by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol, which captures his one-year performance report and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event saw the presence of prominent leaders including State Minister Chandrakant Patil, Minister of State Madhuri Misal, MP Medha Kulkarni, and MLAs Siddharth Shirole, Hemant Rasane, and Sunil Kamble.
Referring to his recent inspection of the Navi Mumbai International Airport and the new link on the Expressway, Fadnavis described the Missing Link as a “marvel of civil engineering.” Spanning 9 km in length and reaching a height of 185 meters, the project features India’s longest and widest cable-stayed bridge of its kind. As of now, 94% of the construction has been completed, and the project is expected to be operational by November–December this year.
The new tunnel and bridge will allow vehicles to bypass the steep and congested Khandala Ghat, saving six kilometers in distance and up to 30 minutes of travel time. With this, travelers from Pune can reach the Navi Mumbai International Airport in just about 75 minutes. “This infrastructure will facilitate the development of a new economic corridor in Mumbai, Pune, and the MMR, which will enhance the region’s economic landscape,” Fadnavis said.
Fadnavis also celebrated the global recognition of 12 forts associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, including 11 from Maharashtra and one from Tamil Nadu. “These forts, acknowledged for their unique architectural style, now bring Maratha history onto the global stage,” he said. He noted that the nomination process involved evaluation against several parameters, with architectural distinctiveness being a key factor, especially the traditional machi (plateau) structure.
Praising Murlidhar Mohol, Fadnavis said, “He is a wrestler by spirit and has fought every challenge with determination. While many leaders stayed home during the COVID crisis, Mohol worked tirelessly on the ground. True leadership is tested during a crisis, and he proved himself during those testing times.”
He added that working under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah requires discipline. “These roles are not just about enjoying power, but about bearing responsibilities,” Fadnavis remarked.
He also shared that Amit Shah personally praised Mohol’s work and said, “Modi and Shah don’t easily compliment anyone. If they do, it means your train is on the right track.”
Mohol, while addressing the event, highlighted the BJP’s tradition of presenting a one-year performance report. “Through our Public Contact Office, citizens will be able to register complaints 24×7. The center will offer assistance on various government schemes, host a medical help desk, and run ‘Janata Darbars’ across six constituencies in Pune,” he said.
Recalling the COVID era, Mohol said, “It’s a time I don’t wish to remember, but the experiences good and bad have been compiled in this book. From being a BJP worker to becoming a city MP and a minister – even I don’t know how it all happened! Amit Shah is like a strict headmaster, while Fadnavis is comparatively gentle,” he added with a smile.
