Heavy rain and landslides cut Mumbai–Pune links, halt trains and close expressway
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Torrential monsoon downpours on Monday disrupted travel between Mumbai and Pune after landslides and flooding damaged tracks and roads, forcing the suspension of train services and closure of both the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and the old highway.
Central Railway officials reported landslides at around 3:05 am near Thakurwadi in the Karjat–Lonavala Bhor Ghat section and between Khandala and Monkey Hill, affecting all three tracks in the challenging ghat stretch. Central Railway cancelled at least 16 services and diverted nine others; several long-distance trains were short-terminated, short-originated or rescheduled. Cancelled trains included the CSMT–Pune Indrayani Express, Intercity Express, Deccan Express, Deccan Queen, Pragati Express and Dhule Express, with additional local services also suspended. Railway teams are working on restoration and passengers have been advised to check train status before travelling.
Road links were also hit. Traffic on both carriageways of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and the old highway was suspended until further notice because of landslides, flooding and a collapsed concrete pillar on the expressway’s Connecting Link–Missing Link section. A landslide near Tunnel 2 prompted diversions on the Khopoli–Kusgaon Missing Link, while waterlogging and landslips severely disrupted Khandala Ghat and alternate routes such as Maval and Tamhini Ghat.
The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for Mumbai and a red alert for Pune as heavy rain continued. Authorities, including the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation and Highway Traffic Police, put traffic diversions in place from early Monday and urged motorists to avoid the route unless absolutely necessary. Police issued a public advisory asking commuters not to travel between Pune and Mumbai until further notice.
With more rain forecast, local administrations declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Palghar districts. Officials said clearance and repair work was underway and promised further updates as the situation evolved.