The newly opened Missing Link bypass of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway was hit by a landslide early on Monday following heavy rainfall, forcing authorities to divert traffic on the Pune-to-Mumbai carriageway as a precaution.
The landslide occurred near the exit of tunnel 2, prompting the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRDC) to suspend traffic on the Mumbai-bound carriageway from 4 am to ensure commuter safety. Officials said the situation is being closely monitored in coordination with the Highway Traffic Police and advised motorists to avoid travelling on the route unless necessary.
The landslide, coupled with waterlogging on the Khandala Ghat stretch of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, has severely disrupted vehicular movement. With the Missing Link temporarily closed for Mumbai-bound traffic, vehicles have been diverted via Lonavala, resulting in long traffic snarls.
A motorist travelling from Sangli to Mumbai told PTI that he had been stranded near Lonavala since around 4 am after the diversion was put in place. Authorities have not yet indicated when normal traffic movement on the Missing Link will resume.
