Heavy monsoon rain triggered a major landslide on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway’s Missing Link early Monday, forcing authorities to suspend traffic on the Mumbai-bound carriageway and divert vehicles through alternate routes. The incident occurred near Tunnel 2 close to the Khandala exit, where a section of the hillside gave way following continuous rainfall.
Emergency teams were immediately deployed to secure the area and begin clearing the debris, while officials worked to ensure the safety of commuters.
Mud And Rocks Block Expressway
The landslide sent a large volume of mud, rocks and rainwater onto the expressway near the tunnel exit, making the stretch unsafe for traffic.
Motorists approaching the affected section were redirected after authorities halted movement on the Mumbai-bound lane. Visuals from the site showed heavy machinery, including JCB excavators, engaged in removing debris to restore connectivity.
Officials said there were no reports of injuries or casualties.
MSRDC Diverts Traffic
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) confirmed that traffic diversions were implemented from 4 am as a precautionary measure.
The agency said the situation is being closely monitored in coordination with the Highway Traffic Police and advised commuters to avoid non-essential travel until weather conditions improve and the affected stretch is declared safe.
Diversion Leads To Long Traffic Queues
With the expressway lane closed, vehicles were diverted via the older Lonavala-Khandala Ghat route, resulting in significant congestion.
Several commuters reported long delays as traffic moved slowly through the alternative route. Motorists travelling towards Mumbai experienced extended travel times due to the sudden increase in traffic volume and challenging weather conditions.
Recently Opened Missing Link Affected
The incident occurred on the 13-kilometre Missing Link corridor, which was opened only a few months ago to improve connectivity between Mumbai and Pune.
The project was designed to shorten the journey by around six kilometres and reduce travel time by bypassing the traditional ghat section through a network of tunnels and bridges across the Sahyadri hills.
Heavy Rain Keeps Authorities On Alert
Persistent rainfall across the Western Ghats has increased the risk of landslides and waterlogging in hilly regions.
Officials continue to monitor the weather while restoration work progresses at the affected site. Authorities have urged travellers to check traffic updates before beginning their journey and to exercise caution while driving through rain-affected areas until conditions stabilise.
