Heavy Rains Trigger Landslide on Mumbai-Pune Expressway; Traffic Suspended
Traffic on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and the old Pune–Mumbai Highway was suspended early Monday after a landslide damaged a retaining wall on the Missing Link section near the Khandala exit, authorities said.
The landslide occurred during the early hours at the end of the first tunnel on the Pune-to-Mumbai carriageway of the Missing Link, according to the State Highway Police. The retaining wall at the site was damaged, and debris blocked the road, making it impassable.
The heavy rainfall that lashed the region overnight caused water accumulation, weakening the soil and triggering the landslide. No casualties or injuries have been reported, officials confirmed.
Authorities have urged motorists to follow official traffic advisories and avoid travelling on the Pune–Mumbai route until the situation improves and traffic movement is restored. They said further updates on the reopening of the highways will be issued after weather conditions improve and the routes are declared safe for traffic.
The Missing Link is a crucial section of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, designed to reduce travel time by bypassing the old ghat roads. However, it is prone to landslides during heavy monsoon rains, and engineers are assessing the structural damage.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heavy rainfall in the region for the next 24 hours, raising concerns about further disruptions. Commuters have been advised to take alternative routes or delay travel until the highways are cleared.
