Pune, July 27, 2023: The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, a vital transportation link between the two populous cities, encountered another setback as heavy rainfall triggered a significant landslide, disrupting traffic heading to Mumbai. This disruption is one of the consequences of continuous heavy rainfalls that have been battering the state in recent days, leading to numerous such incidents.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time such an incident has occurred this season. The expressway was previously impacted due to a similar landslide, where a large crack appeared near the Kamshet tunnel’s entrance, causing significant traffic disruption on the route to Mumbai. The most recent landslide took place at approximately 9 PM on Thursday.
As soon as news of the incident reached the authorities, emergency response teams from Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IRB) and Deodut, along with highway police from Khandala and Vadgaon, were promptly dispatched to the site. Fortunately, no loss of life was reported in the incident, and the teams are currently working tirelessly to restore the thoroughfare.
The state has been experiencing persistent heavy rainfall across several districts, including Mumbai and Pune, with Lonavala, located in the Pune district, being particularly affected. As recent as July 24, traffic disruptions were witnessed when a crack appeared near the Adoshi tunnel in Khandala Ghat.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway seems to be facing ongoing challenges with landslides, and the teams from IRB and Angel, along with highway police from Khandala and Vadgaon, are responding swiftly to these incidents. They cleared the debris from the landslide late at night, utilizing heavy machinery, and subsequently resumed traffic towards Mumbai.
However, despite the prompt response, passengers bound for Mumbai continue to encounter significant traffic disruptions. On Thursday afternoon, a two-hour block was required to clear loose rocks near the Adoshi Tunnel, leading to further traffic delays. Subsequently, another crack near the Kamshet tunnel caused more traffic jams around 9 PM, adding to the frustration of commuters.
This situation emphasizes the critical need for improved infrastructure and disaster management systems to better handle such crises, particularly during the monsoon season. Authorities and stakeholders need to focus on implementing measures that can mitigate the impact of landslides and ensure the safety and convenience of travelers using this vital expressway.
