Landslide on Mumbai-Pune Expressway: Mumbai lane reopens, Pune-Mumbai route still closed; many trains affected

Mumbai/Pune. Amid continuous heavy rains in Maharashtra, traffic was badly affected after a landslide on the Missing Link section of Mumbai-Pune Expressway in the early hours of Monday. It is a matter of relief that traffic has been resumed on the lane from Mumbai to Pune, while the route from Pune to Mumbai is still closed. Vehicles are being sent in this direction from the old Mumbai-Pune Highway (National Highway-48).

The administration said that traffic on the old highway is also being restored in a phased manner. Passengers have been appealed to travel only when absolutely necessary and follow the instructions of the police and traffic department.

Landslide occurred near the tunnel

According to the State Highway Police, a sudden landslide occurred near the exit of the first tunnel on the Pune to Mumbai lane in the missing link section of the expressway in the early hours of Monday. In this incident, the retaining wall built on the roadside was also damaged. According to preliminary information, there is no report of any casualty in this accident.

Difficulties even on the old highway

Due to heavy rains, a tree fell on the old Mumbai–Pune Highway, damaging power lines and forcing the road to be closed for some time. There were also reports of knee-deep waterlogging at many places, which affected traffic.

Rail services also affected

The landslide also affected rail traffic. According to Central Railway, train operations were disrupted due to debris between Thakurwadi and Monkey Hill Loop cabin in Raigarh district.

Given the situation:

• 16 trains were cancelled.
• The routes of many trains were changed.
• Some trains were turned back midway.
• Some trains were operated partially.

Railway teams are continuously working to remove debris from the tracks and normalize services.

Landslide in Maval, one dead

One person died in a landslide at a house in Patan village in Maval tehsil of Pune district on Monday morning, while three other members of his family are feared trapped under the debris. The team of National Disaster Response Force is engaged in relief and rescue work on the spot. According to officials, one body has been recovered so far and the search for the remaining people is ongoing.

The district administration said that as soon as the information was received, the Tehsil administration and NDRF team had reached the spot. About 30 member rescue team is continuously carrying out the operation.

Building evacuated in Pune

Due to continuous rains, the ground near a three-storey building in Pune’s Sadashiv Peth area caved in. As a precaution, the administration evacuated the entire building. According to the disaster management department of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), there was no loss of life in this incident. People will be allowed to re-enter only after the technical inspection of the building is completed.

In view of the continuous rains, the administration has appealed to the citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, keep an eye on official updates related to weather and traffic and follow the instructions of the local administration in case of any emergency.