Mumbai-Pune Expressway: All goods vehicles barred from Connecting Link from Nov 1

The revised rules cap speeds at 100 kmph for permitted cars and light motor vehicles and 80 kmph for passenger buses and a 5% tolerance for detected violations.

All goods-carrying vehicles will be barred from using the Connecting Link on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway from November 1, under revised traffic rules issued by the Maharashtra traffic police on Monday. The move withdraws the earlier permission for light goods vehicles to use the new route, requiring all goods vehicles to continue along the existing expressway alignment.

The Maharashtra traffic police said the restrictions are intended to reduce congestion and accident risks inside the Connecting Link’s tunnels.

The notification, issued on October 26, prescribes permanent vehicle-class restrictions and speed limits for the Connecting Link. The regulations will come into force on November 1, 2026, and remain in effect until further orders.

“The decision has been taken in view of traffic safety requirements inside the Connecting Link’s tunnels, technical considerations and discussions with stakeholders. This will prevent traffic jams and congestion likely to be caused by goods-carrying vehicles on this stretch and could prevent accidents,” said ACP Khalapur Vishal Nehul.

Vehicles carrying hazardous materials barred from new route

The notification also prohibits vehicles carrying hazardous materials, including inflammable, explosive and other dangerous substances, from using the new alignment. They will have to continue travelling along the existing expressway route.

Under the revised rules, only non-transport light motor vehicles and permitted passenger vehicles, including passenger buses, will be allowed to use the Connecting Link. Cars and other permitted light motor vehicles will have a maximum speed limit of 100 kmph, while passenger buses and other permitted passenger vehicles will be restricted to 80 kmph.

The rules also provide for a 5% tolerance in detected speed when taking cognisance of violations under Section 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Authorities cite tunnel safety and congestion concerns

Officials said the restrictions were aimed at improving safety inside the Connecting Link’s tunnels and preventing congestion and accidents. The new alignment was developed to improve connectivity on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway through tunnels and other engineering structures.

The Connecting Link was developed to improve connectivity on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway through a new alignment featuring tunnels and other engineering structures. The latest notification clarifies the categories of vehicles permitted on the route and the speed limits applicable to them.