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Traffic on the Mumbai-bound carriageway of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway's Missing Link bypass resumed late on Monday after remaining closed for more than 18 hours due to a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) reopened two lanes following detailed safety inspections near Tunnel 2, while one lane remained closed because of continued water flow from the hillside above. The landslide damaged a protective drainage structure but did not affect the structural integrity of the tunnel. During the closure, traffic was diverted through the Lonavala ghat section, contributing to severe congestion on the expressway. Authorities restored movement only after debris removal and engineering assessments confirmed the route was safe.
Traffic on the Mumbai-bound carriageway of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway's Missing Link bypass resumed late on Monday after remaining suspended for more than 18 hours following a landslide caused by overnight heavy rainfall. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) restored vehicular movement after completing technical inspections and safety assessments at the affected site.
According to a senior MSRDC official, traffic resumed at 10.10 pm after engineers completed inspections near the exit of Tunnel 2, the longest tunnel on the Missing Link alignment. The carriageway had been closed since around 4 am after a landslide struck the area during heavy monsoon rainfall.
The official said two left-side lanes on the Mumbai-bound corridor had been reopened, while the right lane remained closed because water continued to flow onto the road after the collapse of a drainage channel constructed on the hillside above the tunnel.
MSRDC officials stated that the landslide caused part of the protective wall designed to channel rainwater away from the tunnel to collapse. The movement of rocks, soil and water damaged the protection structure; however, the tunnel itself was not structurally affected. Authorities said traffic restrictions were imposed as a precaution while detailed inspections were carried out.
During the closure, Mumbai-bound traffic was diverted through the existing Lonavala ghat section of the expressway. Combined with additional landslides in the ghat stretch and waterlogging near Khalapur, the diversion resulted in significant traffic congestion throughout the day.
Heavy rainfall also affected other sections of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, including areas near the Urse tunnel, while parts of the old Mumbai–Pune Highway experienced waterlogging. Highway Police officials said traffic on those stretches resumed after floodwaters receded and debris was cleared, with the Missing Link carriageway being the only section that remained closed for an extended period.
MSRDC said debris near Tunnel 2 had been removed by the afternoon, after which engineers conducted detailed inspections of the slope above the tunnel to identify any unstable rocks or loose material that could pose a risk to motorists. Persistent rainfall, strong winds and poor visibility delayed the completion of these assessments.
The corporation stated that traffic was restored only after all technical and safety evaluations confirmed that the carriageway was safe for public use. It added that specialised equipment was used to clear and clean the affected section, while engineering teams inspected both the tunnel and the adjoining hillside. Although drone surveys were planned, adverse weather conditions, including dense fog, heavy rain and strong winds, restricted aerial inspections.
The Missing Link, which opened to traffic earlier this year, is a 13.3-km section of the 94-km Mumbai–Pune Expressway. The alignment comprises twin tunnels and a cable-stayed bridge, bypassing the Lonavala–Khandala ghat section. It is designed to reduce the travel distance by 5.7 km and shorten journey time between Mumbai and Pune by approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
Source - PTI
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