The newly opened Mumbai-Pune Missing Link corridor, designed to ease congestion and shorten travel time on one of India’s busiest expressways, is facing criticism from commuters over weak mobile network connectivity across several stretches, particularly inside tunnels. While the infrastructure project has improved travel efficiency between the two cities, concerns are growing over emergency preparedness and digital communication reliability on the high-speed route. Built as part of a major expressway expansion initiative, the Missing Link corridor was developed to bypass accident-prone ghat sections and reduce vehicular pressure on older stretches of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Transport planners view the project as a critical mobility upgrade for western India’s industrial and economic corridor, which handles heavy passenger and freight movement every day.
However, regular travellers say the benefits of reduced travel time are being overshadowed by communication blackspots inside long tunnel sections. Drivers have reported frequent call drops, poor internet access and complete signal loss in certain areas, making it difficult to access navigation systems or contact emergency services during breakdowns or accidents. The Missing Link project includes extensive tunnel infrastructure cutting through the Sahyadri ranges, with nearly nine kilometres of underground travel across the Khopoli-Kusgaon section. Urban infrastructure experts point out that tunnels of such scale require integrated communication systems as a basic safety component rather than an optional technological addition. Commuters argue that the absence of stable connectivity raises serious risks, especially given the increasing dependence on digital navigation, cashless tolling systems and app-based emergency support services. In high-speed transport corridors, delayed communication during medical emergencies, vehicle fires or accidents can significantly impact response time and public safety outcomes.
Transport analysts say modern road infrastructure can no longer be assessed solely through engineering achievements such as bridges, tunnels or reduced travel duration. Increasingly, intelligent transport systems, emergency communication networks and digital infrastructure are becoming equally important indicators of infrastructure quality. The issue has also highlighted the growing relationship between urban mobility and digital resilience. As India invests heavily in expressways, metro systems and smart transport corridors, experts believe communication infrastructure must evolve simultaneously to ensure roads remain functional during emergencies and climate-related disruptions. Several commuters have urged authorities to coordinate with telecom operators to install signal boosters, tunnel-based communication systems and emergency call points throughout the Missing Link corridor. Safety specialists also recommend dedicated control rooms, real-time monitoring systems and clearly marked emergency assistance zones inside tunnel sections.
Infrastructure observers note that while the Missing Link has improved regional connectivity and reduced pressure on older ghat routes, public confidence in such mega projects depends heavily on operational reliability after inauguration. Large-scale transport investments are increasingly expected to deliver not just speed and convenience, but also safety, accessibility and uninterrupted communication. As traffic volume continues to rise on the Mumbai-Pune corridor, authorities may now face pressure to address the network issue quickly to ensure the expressway upgrade functions as a future-ready transport system rather than merely a faster route between two expanding urban economies.
