Ground report: Landslide hits Pune-Mumbai Missing Link, causes traffic chaos
Heavy rains in Maharashtra have triggered a significant landslide on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, causing severe disruptions to vehicular and railway traffic. The landslide occurred around 4:00 AM on Monday near tunnel number 40, directly impacting the recently inaugurated missing link section. As a result, the concrete slab on top of the tunnel collapsed, blocking the route from Pune to Mumbai. Vehicular traffic has been diverted to the older route, leading to considerable traffic jams and slow movement. In response to the crisis, railway authorities immediately halted operations, safely bringing back two trains travelling from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Bangalore and from Daund to Gwalior. Furthermore, a total of 18 trains have been cancelled, including 14 operating primarily between Mumbai and Pune, as well as services to Solapur and Dhule. Restoration work is currently underway, though efforts are hampered by heavy rainfall and gusty winds. Officials estimate that clearing the debris and restoring full connectivity will take several hours.