Debris clearance operations underway at the site
Pune: Monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc across Maharashtra, affecting connectivity in and around the state. Due to a landslide near the Missing Link section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway has led to the closure of a crucial stretch of the route on Monday.
According to the reports, the landslide occurred near the Khandala exit of Tunnel 2 on the Pune-to-Mumbai carriageway amid heavy rainfall this morning. The landslide has blocked traffic on the connecting link, disrupting vehicle movement on one of the state's busiest expressways.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is one of India's busiest roads—a six-lane wide concrete toll expressway spanning nearly 100 kms connecting Mumbai and Pune via Raigad passing through the picturesque Sahyadri mountain ranges.
"Due to landslide and the continues downpour, the traffic movement is affected on both Pune-Mumbai expressway and the old Mumbai-Pun highway is affected. Traffic in both directions has been stopped until further notice," said an official of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Ltd (MSRDC).
The officials have requested the citizens to postpone any Pune-Mumbai travel for the time being.
Executive Engineer Rakesh Sonawane said the landslide occurred near the tunnel exit on the Pune-to-Mumbai lane due to heavy rainfall.
"Debris clearance operations are currently in progress. We expect the situation to return to normal within the next four to five hours," Sonawane said.
Authorities have deployed teams and machinery at the site to remove debris and restore traffic movement at the earliest.
The train traffic between the two cities has been affected because of the heavy rainfall.
The Central Railway said,“Train services between Karjat and Khopoli have been suspended because of the heavy rains and subsequent water flow causing the ballast washout. This was identified by alert staff and resources are being mobilised to restore the section and services.”.
Further it added "There was a landslide at South East Ghat of the Mumbai Division. “Due to incessant heavy rainfall in the South East Ghat section between Karjat and Lonavala, a landslide has occurred between Thakurvadi (TKW) and Monkey Hill Loop Cabin (MHLC) on the Up Main Line (UPML) of Mumbai Division,”
Shive Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray said, "“The Missing link was inaugurated on 1st May 2026. For all the infra watchers and believers, the cost of this link has been escalated by thousands of crores. It has now had a landslide and much more within 2 months of its checks and inaugurations. More so, using it while on the way to Pune and back, I noticed and stated publicly also that not even 50 feet of the road is flat. It is all undulated and feels like one is sitting in a boat, riding the waves.”
NCP (SP) legislator Rohit Pawar targeted the Maharashtra government and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in particular.
He remarked, “Potholes were dug on the Missing Link for durability checks, so has a landslide occurred today for durability checks? Due to only the link of brokerage and corruption emerging in the Missing Link's work, even safety has gone missing. In the last four-five days, the rains from Pune to Mumbai have exposed the hollow claims of this corrupt government, revealing the dark deeds of this corrupt government. The public will not forgive this corrupt government.”
