Shivendraraje Bhosale Inspects Mumbai-Pune Missing Link Landslide Site
Public Works Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale conducted an inspection on Monday at the site of a landslide near the tunnel exit on the Mumbai-bound carriageway of the Mumbai–Pune Missing Link project in Maharashtra. The slope collapse, which followed several days of continuous heavy rainfall, disrupted traffic on the newly opened corridor and prompted immediate restoration orders.
Accompanied by senior department officials, the police, and representatives from other departments, Minister Bhosale reviewed the site conditions and directed authorities to expedite the restoration work. The landslide caused a portion of a retaining wall and a section of the protective shotcrete slab to collapse directly onto the roadway.
Addressing the media during his visit, Bhosale explained that continuous heavy rainfall over the preceding days had caused a sudden change in the natural flow of water in the area. This alteration led to a large volume of rocks and soil sliding down the hillside near the exit of the major tunnel.
To prevent any immediate hazards, authorities temporarily restricted traffic along the affected Mumbai-bound corridor. The Minister clarified that despite the collapse of the retaining wall and the shotcrete slab near the entry point, the tunnel itself did not sustain any structural damage.
Currently, ongoing heavy rain and dense fog have made it impossible for officials to safely assess the conditions at the top of the hill. Bhosale stated that a detailed technical inspection will be conducted by experts as soon as the weather conditions improve. This inspection aims to determine the exact cause of the altered water flow and to recommend permanent preventive measures to avoid future landslides.
Debris removal operations are currently being carried out on a war footing, with all concerned agencies instructed to complete the clearing work at the earliest. The Minister emphasized that public safety remains the top priority. The road will only be reopened to traffic after a joint safety inspection is successfully completed by the police and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).
