The 'Missing Link' project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, spanning 13.3 kilometers between Khopoli and Kusgaon, is facing potential delays in its opening, originally scheduled for May 1, due to disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict between the USA, Iran, and Israel. This geopolitical situation has severely impacted the supply of essential materials, particularly bitumen, which is crucial for the road's top layer. Over the past two weeks, bitumen prices have increased by nearly 50%, and delays in shipments have compounded the issue. The project, which includes two significant cable-stayed bridges and Asia's widest tunnels, aims to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune by approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Although the construction is largely complete, the final phase of laying the top layer of tar on the bridges is being hindered by material shortages. Officials from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) have indicated that if the situation does not improve, the inauguration may be postponed. However, contractors are under pressure to complete the remaining work by April 25, with a load test for the bridges scheduled for April 30. The project has faced numerous delays since its inception in 1995, with construction commencing in 2018 and previously impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.