Landslides Trigger Traffic Chaos on Mumbai-Pune Expressway Amid Heavy Rain
Relentless monsoon rain triggers major landslides near Khandala, disrupting road and rail traffic as authorities launch restoration efforts and issue travel advisories.
Days of relentless monsoon rain have caused widespread disruption across Maharashtra, with a major landslide forcing the closure of a section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Khandala. The incident has severely affected road and rail connectivity as authorities continue rescue and restoration work.
The landslide occurred near the Khandala exit on the Pune-to-Mumbai carriageway of the expressway’s newly opened “Missing Link” section. Debris from a hillside collapsed near the exit of the 8.9-km tunnel, completely blocking traffic. The high-profile infrastructure project, inaugurated just two months ago at a cost of ₹6,695 crore, is now facing questions over its resilience following the heavy rainfall.
Rail Services Hit by Multiple Landslides
Heavy rain also triggered landslides at several locations along the Mumbai-Pune railway corridor. Railway authorities reported landslides between Karjat-Lonavala and Khandala-Monkey Hill, leading to the cancellation of 16 trains and the diversion of nine long-distance services.
Another landslide near Tunnel No. 40 disrupted rail operations, prompting restoration teams to clear debris and repair tracks. Railway officials are working round the clock to restore normal services as early as possible.
More Landslides Reported Across Maharashtra
Apart from the expressway, fresh landslides were reported in the Varandha Ghat section on the Bhor-Mahad route, where large rocks, trees and mud blocked the highway after continuous rainfall over the past several days. Traffic has been completely suspended on the route while authorities remove debris and assess the stability of the surrounding hillsides.
Officials said no casualties have been reported in the landslide incidents so far. However, residents and commuters have been advised to avoid travel in hilly areas unless absolutely necessary.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more heavy to very heavy rainfall over the coming days, raising concerns about additional landslides and flooding. Disaster response teams remain on high alert, while motorists are being urged to follow official traffic advisories before undertaking journeys across the affected regions.
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