The Mumbai-Pune Expressway's 'Missing Link' is a newly constructed 13 km stretch designed to enhance travel between Mumbai and Pune by bypassing a challenging ghat section near Lonavala-Khandala. This problematic area was notorious for traffic congestion, steep gradients, and safety hazards, often delaying journeys significantly. The new alignment, which includes long tunnels and elevated bridges, promises to reduce travel time by 20 to 30 minutes and improve overall safety by avoiding accident-prone curves and landslide risks. Although the project was inaugurated on May 1, it will open to regular commuters on May 2 to allow for final preparations and safety checks. Commuters can still use the existing route, which remains operational, providing flexibility during the transition to the new stretch.