Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 5: In a significant safety initiative, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has begun installing specialised wind barriers on the cable-stayed bridge section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway's 'missing link' project to protect motorists from strong crosswinds.

The advanced windscreens are being erected on both sides of the 650-metre-long bridge spanning Tiger Valley. The measure is aimed at reducing the impact of high-velocity winds that could cause smaller vehicles to drift, skid or lose stability while crossing the elevated stretch.

According to MSRDC Joint Managing Director Rajesh Patil, the bridge's towering 182-metre pylons and its location over a deep valley make it particularly vulnerable to strong mountain winds.

“We have observed wind speeds touching up to 100 kmph within minutes. At such heights, powerful crosswinds can pose serious risks, especially for smaller vehicles,” Patil said.

The specially designed barriers are intended to reduce wind velocity and minimise sudden lateral forces acting on vehicles, thereby improving driving stability even during heavy monsoon conditions and severe weather events.

Patil said the project has been designed with long-term climate resilience in mind, considering the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and cyclonic activity in recent years.

The missing link project is a key infrastructure upgrade on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities. Authorities have also initiated steps to improve telecom connectivity within the tunnels that form part of the project.

The installation of the wind barriers is expected to further enhance safety for commuters using one of the country's busiest expressway corridors.