28 July,2026 08:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Archana Dahiwal
The road section that caved in near Karanjale village in Junnar taluka of Pune district on Sunday. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Traffic has been suspended indefinitely on the Malshej ghat section of National Highway (NH) 61 after a large portion of the road caved in near Karanjale village on Sunday following incessant heavy rainfall, disrupting road connectivity between western Maharashtra and Mumbai.
The closure affects all categories of vehicles travelling from Ahilyanagar and Pune towards Mumbai via the Kalyan-Malshej Ghat highway. The order was issued by District Collector and District Magistrate Jitendra Dudi to prevent accidents, ensure smooth traffic regulation, and avoid any law-and-order issues in the area.
Preliminary reports indicate that nearly 100 metres of the road has subsided, with parts of it sinking around five to six feet, making the route unsafe for vehicular movement. Initially, authorities had permitted one-way movement for small vehicles while prohibiting heavy vehicles such as State Transport buses, trucks, and tempos. However, after assessing the worsening condition of the damaged road and the possibility of further collapse, the administration decided to completely close the ghat section for all traffic until further orders.
Traffic has been diverted through the alternative route of Alephata to Mumbai via Narayangaon, Khed, Chakan, Talegaon MIDC, Lonavala, and Khopoli. Authorities have also advised motorists to use the Alephata-Sangamner-Nashik-Kasara-Kalyan-Mumbai route, depending on their destination. The district administration has appealed to commuters to avoid travelling through the Malshej ghat section until restoration work is completed and the road is declared safe.
Persistent heavy rainfall continues to make the hilly terrain vulnerable to landslides and road subsidence. Drivers travelling through other ghat sections must exercise caution, as poor visibility due to dense fog, slippery roads, and ongoing rainfall can create hazardous driving conditions. Tourists visiting hill stations and waterfalls during the monsoon must avoid stopping at dangerous locations for photographs, as unstable terrain and sudden landslides can pose a threat to life.
It is a key route used daily by tourists, passenger vehicles and commercial transport connecting Pune and Ahilyanagar with Mumbai. The closure is expected to significantly affect traffic movement and increase travel time for commuters and freight operators.
100 metres
Length of portion that caved in on Sunday
