Ambenali Ghat Traffic Disrupted After Massive Landslide on Mahabaleshwar-Poladpur Road
On Thursday, authorities urged motorists to exercise extreme caution and avoid unnecessary travel through the Ambenali Ghat, located on the road between Poladpur and Mahabaleshwar, following a massive landslide on Wednesday that temporarily shut down traffic.
Poladpur Tehsildar Kapil Ghorpade warned that the scenic but dangerous ghat stretch remains highly vulnerable during the monsoon season due to frequent landslides and falling debris. Speaking on Thursday, Ghorpade stated that the section is extremely risky and prone to landslides, advising travellers to avoid the route unless necessary.
To manage the risk, the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC), which handles work on the route, has stationed rescue machinery and equipment in the area. This deployment aims to ensure a quick response in case of emergencies or accidents caused by future landslides.
The fresh warning was issued after Wednesday's massive landslide struck the Mahabaleshwar-Poladpur road. Large rocks and mud collapsed onto the road, leading to long queues of stranded vehicles as officials halted movement from both sides of the route for safety reasons.
Following the incident, teams from the Public Works Department (PWD), revenue department, police, and disaster response units rushed to the spot. They launched clearance operations on a war footing using JCB machines and heavy equipment to remove the debris and restore connectivity.
While clearance operations were initiated quickly, authorities cautioned that traffic restrictions may continue depending on the weather conditions and the stability of the affected hillside.
The administration has appealed to local residents and commuters to immediately report any signs of cracks, loose soil, or possible landslide risks along the ghat section to prevent major mishaps. Tourists and motorists have been urged to avoid travelling through Ambenali Ghat until conditions improve and to use alternative routes instead.
