Potholes appear on Mumbai-Pune Missing Link weeks after inauguration

Potholes have developed on a newly inaugurated stretch of the Mumbai-Pune Missing Link high-speed corridor near the expansion joint of the cable-stayed bridge. The damage, which emerged following heavy rainfall, was reported on July 3, 2026, just weeks after the infrastructure project was opened to the public.

The deterioration of the road surface was documented by a motorist, Rahul Kharat, who recorded a video of the affected area. Kharat subsequently shared the footage on Instagram, drawing immediate attention to the condition of the high-speed corridor.

The Mumbai-Pune Missing Link project had been presented as a major developmental milestone, widely touted as a game-changer for reducing travel time between Mumbai and Pune. However, the rapid appearance of potholes has quickly shifted public focus toward the structural integrity of the route.

The video showing potholes near the expansion joint of the cable-stayed bridge has sparked widespread public concern. It has raised serious questions among commuters and observers regarding the overall construction quality, durability, and safety of the newly completed high-speed infrastructure.

With the damage appearing so soon after the project's inauguration, the project developers and authorities are facing scrutiny over how the newly laid road surface failed to withstand the heavy rainfall. The incident has cast doubt on the long-term reliability of the corridor, which was built to handle high-speed traffic.