Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 6: Heavy monsoon rains triggered a major landslide near the Missing Link section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway on Monday, forcing the closure of a key stretch of the Pune-to-Mumbai carriageway and disrupting traffic on one of Maharashtra's busiest highways.
According to officials, the landslide occurred near the Khandala exit of Tunnel 2 after continuous overnight rainfall, blocking the connecting link on the Pune-to-Mumbai side of the expressway.
The Pune Traffic Police have advised commuters to avoid travelling from Pune to Mumbai until the affected stretch is cleared.
Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Shivaji Pawar said the Pune-to-Mumbai carriageway had been completely closed following the landslide. He added that the old Mumbai-Pune Expressway route had also been shut because of severe waterlogging, while another landslide had been reported on the old Mumbai-Pune Highway.
"The Pune-to-Mumbai road is completely blocked. However, the Mumbai-to-Pune carriageway remains open, though traffic is moving slowly. We request commuters to postpone their journey from Pune to Mumbai. Those travelling from Mumbai to Pune should undertake the journey only if absolutely necessary," Pawar said.
Executive Engineer Rakesh Sonawane said debris removal operations were underway at the site and authorities expected traffic movement to return to normal within the next four to five hours.
Teams equipped with heavy machinery have been deployed to clear the debris and restore connectivity at the earliest.
The affected section forms part of the 13.3-km Missing Link project, a major infrastructure initiative connecting Khopoli in Raigad district with Kusgaon near Lonavala in Pune district.
The project includes two tunnels, two major bridges and a cable-stayed bridge across Tiger Valley. Tunnel 1 is about 1.58 km long, while Tunnel 2 extends approximately 8.86 km, making it one of the longest road tunnels in the region.
Once completed, the Missing Link project is expected to shorten the Mumbai-Pune travel distance by around six kilometres and reduce travel time by nearly 30 minutes.
Heavy rainfall over the past several days has disrupted normal life across Mumbai and adjoining districts, causing waterlogging, landslides and delays in road and rail services. Authorities have urged commuters to check official traffic advisories before undertaking intercity travel, particularly through the Western Ghats, where the risk of landslides remains high during the monsoon.