Landslides Disrupt Mumbai-Pune Missing Link, Three Killed

Heavy rains triggered landslides on the recently inaugurated Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link, resulting in the death of three members of a family and causing major traffic disruption. The landslide occurred near the first tunnel after a retaining wall was damaged due to continuous rainfall, allowing water, mud, and debris to spill onto the Pune-to-Mumbai carriageway. Authorities immediately closed the affected stretch and diverted vehicles through the old Mumbai-Pune Highway.

The ₹6,695-crore Missing Link project, inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on May 1, was designed to reduce travel time and improve safety along the accident-prone Khandala Ghat section. While the Mumbai-to-Pune carriageway was later reopened, restoration work continues on the damaged route. Officials are monitoring the weather and inspecting the infrastructure before fully restoring traffic movement.