Maharashtra – Pune-Mumbai Link Road Reopens After Rain-Triggered Landslide
Maharashtra – Traffic has resumed on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway Connecting Link Road after emergency teams completed safety work following a landslide caused by intense overnight rain. The restoration offers some relief to commuters, although heavy showers continue to affect rail operations and daily movement in several parts of Maharashtra.
Authorities restore road movement after clearance work
The Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office said on Monday that vehicles were again being allowed to use the connecting route. Officials asked travellers to remain alert, as wet conditions and continuing rainfall may still create risks in hilly stretches.
In a message shared on X, the Chief Minister’s Office said the administration was working to restore normal services and appealed to residents to take safety precautions.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation also confirmed that traffic had been restarted after extensive checks and clearance operations. Road teams worked to remove debris and assess the affected section before reopening it for vehicles.
Landslide affected major Mumbai-Pune routes
Heavy rain in the Mumbai-Pune ghat area led to landslides on Monday, affecting both road and railway connectivity between the two cities. Large rocks and debris fell near railway tracks, while traffic on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the old Mumbai-Pune Highway was temporarily halted after a major slide.
The disruption added to travel difficulties during a period of persistent monsoon rain across western Maharashtra. Authorities have continued monitoring vulnerable road sections, especially those passing through the ghats, where saturated soil can increase the possibility of further slips.
Waterlogging disrupts Western Railway services
Rail services under the Mumbai Central Division of Western Railway have also been affected by waterlogging. The Vasai Road, Nalasopara and Virar sections reported operational difficulties after continuous rain caused water accumulation around tracks and station areas.
Western Railway said some services were cancelled while others were diverted to maintain passenger safety and support operational requirements. Travellers have been advised to check the latest train status before beginning their journeys.
Among the cancelled services are Train No. 19016 Porbandar-Dadar Express, Train No. 19218 Veraval-Bandra Terminus Express and Train No. 12941 Bhavnagar Terminus-Asansol Express, all scheduled to run on July 7. Train No. 12942 Asansol-Bhavnagar Terminus Express, scheduled for July 9, has also been cancelled.
Two other trains have been diverted. Train No. 20495 Jodhpur-Hadapsar Express and Train No. 22497 Sri Ganganagar-Tiruchirappalli Express, which departed on July 6, were rerouted through Surat, Paldhi, Jalgaon, Manmad, Daund Chord Line and Pune.
Weather alerts remain in place across districts
The India Meteorological Department has issued an Orange Alert for Mumbai, Kolhapur, Satara, Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri. The department has forecast moderate rainfall at isolated locations in these districts.
Earlier warnings included a Red Alert for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Pune and the Nashik ghats, where very heavy rain, strong winds and waterlogging were expected. The state government has announced work from home arrangements for offices, while disaster response teams have been deployed in areas requiring assistance.
Evacuations and flood precautions continue
The Chief Minister also urged people to remain cautious after an alert concerning possible cloudburst conditions between Nashik and Trimbakeshwar on July 7. Palghar and parts of the Konkan region remain under a Red Alert, with around 500 residents in Palghar being shifted to safer places.
Officials have also asked pilgrims not to enter Alandi after flooding in the Indrayani River submerged all four bridges leading into the town. Residents and travellers have been advised to follow official updates as rain-related conditions continue to change.