Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday has symbolically inaugurated tunnel work for a six kilometers 'missing' link of Mumbai-Pune Expressway. plan foresees building twin tunnels to reduce 19-kilometer distance of expressway between Khopoli Exit to Sinhg Institute by 6 kilometers, said officials. However, re are alrey separate tunnels for traffic in both directions and a total of five tunnels of International Standard in expressway. Two private firms were given tenders for tunneling in August last year. width of tunnel is 24 meters, which is amongst widest in world. Shinde furr stated that commuting between two of Maharashtra's biggest cities would ease out seemingly once link is rey in three year's time.

Shinde took to Twitter to announce commencement of project-

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estimated cost 

Speaking about expenditure on Mumbai-Pune Expressway project, officials said that estimated cost for same will be around Rs. 6,695 crore. project will also have a 900-meter bridge and a cable-stayed structure of 650 meters, officials ded. Mumbai-Pune Expressway is presently a a 6-lane cement concrete ro with a length of 94 kilometers. It meets National Highway 4 at Khalapur Toll Plaza and separates near Khandala exit. stretch on which Expressway and Highway meets is a bottle-neck as vehicles from two major ros converge on a narrow connector, prompting authorities to think of 'missing' link. 

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About Mumbai-Pune Expressway

Mumbai-Pune Expressway became fully operationalised in year 2002. n Maharashtra government gave contract to Maharashtra State Ro Development Corporation (MSRDC) in March 1997 on a build-operate-transfer basis with toll collection rights for a certain time period. It is India's first six-lane access control expressway with a speedy completion work. project has also proposed fencing on both sides of Expressway for safety of traffic compound wall.

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(With Inputs from PTI)