Heavy rainfall has triggered a major landslide on the newly opened Missing Link section of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway near the exit of Tunnel 2 at Khandala, forcing authorities to suspend traffic and close the Mumbai-bound lane. The incident has caused major disruption for commuters traveling between Mumbai and Pune, with officials advising motorists to avoid the route until further notice.
Authorities said rocks, mud, and debris slid onto the expressway near Tunnel 2, making the stretch unsafe for vehicles. As a precautionary measure, traffic was suspended on the affected section, while movement on parts of the old Mumbai–Pune Highway was also temporarily halted to ensure public safety. Emergency teams were immediately deployed to clear the debris and assess the stability of the area.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has appealed to travelers to postpone non-essential journeys between Mumbai and Pune until normal traffic is restored. Officials are working round the clock to remove the debris, inspect the damaged stretch, and reopen the road at the earliest without compromising safety.
No injuries or casualties have been reported in the incident so far. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as heavy rainfall persists across several parts of Maharashtra, increasing the risk of further landslides in hilly regions.
The incident has also sparked discussions about the durability of newly built infrastructure during the monsoon season. The Missing Link project, which includes modern tunnels and bridges to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune, was recently opened to traffic. Officials are expected to conduct a detailed inspection of the affected area before allowing vehicles back onto the expressway.
Motorists are advised to follow official traffic updates and use alternative routes wherever possible until the expressway is declared safe for travel.