Mumbai-Pune Expressway landslide: CM Fadnavis urges commuters to avoid travel as debris clearance continues

CM Fadnavis assessing the situation amid heavy rain (Pic/@X)

Traffic has been severely impacted on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway due to a massive landslide near the Missing Link project area. The administrative machinery is currently working on a war footing to clear the debris.

Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis in view of the situation has appealed to citizens to avoid traveling on the Mumbai-Pune route unless absolutely necessary.

CM Fadnavis earlier reviewed the ongoing debris removal work and also the situation due to incessant rain across Maharashtra. While briefing the media about the situation, Fadnavis said that approximately 100 tonnes of debris had accumulated at the landslide site.

Fadnavis said, "Notably, this incident occurred in an area that had never experienced a landslide before. So far, teams have successfully cleared about 70 tonnes of debris, and work is underway at a rapid pace to remove the remaining blockages," as per IANS.

Three lanes from Mumbai to Pune are now open

Currently, three lanes on the corridor leading towards Pune have been opened for traffic. However, on the corridor heading towards Mumbai, traffic is functional through only a single lane.

CM Fadnavis further informed that emergency mechanisms are making concerted efforts to restore additional lanes within the next hour-and-a-half.

He further said that Minister for Public Works Department (PWD) Shivendraraje Bhosale is present at the spot to review the operations while relevant departments, agencies, and emergency response teams are working in close coordination.

Fadnavis has further urged the citizens to adhere to administrative instructions, travel strictly according to the guidance provided by the traffic police, and rely only on official information.

Landslide at Mumbai-Pune Expressway

Earlier, traffic on the Pune-to-Mumbai Mumbai-Pune expressway's newly opened Missing Link was diverted early on Monday after a landslide occurred near the exit of Tunnel 2 following heavy rainfall.

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRDC), while issuing an official statement, said, "The diversion came into effect at 4 am as a precautionary measure to ensure commuter safety. Authorities are monitoring the situation in coordination with the Highway Traffic Police and have urged motorists to avoid traveling on the route unless essential," as per IANS.

(With inputs from IANS)