Mumbai: The proposed Missing Link project on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway is expected to strengthen connectivity and reshape real estate activity across emerging corridors in the extended Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), often referred to as “Mumbai 3.0.”
The infrastructure project, aimed at bypassing the ghat section, is expected to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune by approximately 20–25 minutes. It is also expected to ease congestion on the expressway while improving access to locations such as Karjat, Neral, and Lonavala.
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Improved connectivity is likely to accelerate development in these micro-markets, with increasing interest in plotted developments, villa communities, and second-home projects. These regions are being positioned as alternatives to the saturated urban core, supported by relatively lower entry prices, natural surroundings, and evolving buyer preferences.
Commenting on the development, Unnati Varma, Director, ORA Land (by ORA Group), said, “The Missing Link project is a landmark development that will redefine accessibility to emerging destinations like Karjat and surroundings. As travel time reduces and connectivity improves, we anticipate a significant uptick in demand for plotted developments and lifestyle-driven housing. Today’s homebuyers are seeking a balance between connectivity and quality of life, and locations like Karjat offer exactly that. This infrastructure boost will further position these regions as viable extensions of Mumbai’s residential landscape.”
The concept of Mumbai 3.0, which includes peripheral growth zones beyond Navi Mumbai and Panvel, has gained traction alongside major infrastructure developments such as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link and the Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Industry stakeholders said the Missing Link project could further support decentralisation of demand and enable the development of new residential and commercial clusters across the region.
Kamlesh Thakur, President, NAREDCO Maharashtra, said, “The Missing Link is a transformational infrastructure milestone that will redefine connectivity between Mumbai and Pune while opening new high-potential growth corridors across the region. By significantly reducing travel time and improving mobility, this project is expected to accelerate demand for emerging destinations within the Mumbai 3.0 growth belt. It will help decongest established urban centres, create fresh residential and commercial opportunities, and drive more balanced, future-ready real estate development across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).”
Gautam Thacker, Founder President & Chairman, NAREDCO Raigad, said, “Infrastructure projects like the Missing Link are critical in unlocking the true potential of regions like Neral and Karjat. It is a transformative infrastructure project that effectively brings Pune closer to Neral-Karjat and the larger Mumbai 3.0 region. This improved connectivity is already translating into heightened interest from Pune-based developers as well as homebuyers, who now see the region as a highly accessible and attractive destination. With seamless travel between key cities, the region is poised to witness accelerated real estate activity with immense opportunities for planned development, and with the right policy support, it can emerge as a well-balanced urban extension of Mumbai.”
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Experts said that with ongoing infrastructure development and shifting buyer preferences, locations such as Neral, Karjat, Khopoli, and Lonavala may see increased real estate activity in the coming years.
