The conflict in West Asia has impacted the supply of bitumen, crucial for the construction of two cable-stayed bridges in the missing link project on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, potentially delaying its inauguration scheduled for May 1. Officials from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) reported that while the construction of tunnels and surface roads was completed, the recent surge in bitumen prices, which have increased by over 50%, complicates procurement efforts. The project, first proposed in 1995, aims to create an alternate route between Khopoli and Kusgaon, addressing traffic congestion and safety concerns on the existing route. Despite these challenges, MSRDC remains optimistic, directing contractors to finalize work by April 25 and complete load testing by April 30. The project includes 13.3 kilometers of roadway, featuring tunnels measuring 8.87 km and 1.68 km, and two bridges each spanning 650 meters.