Mumbai-Pune Connectivity Severed as Heavy Rain Triggers Landslides, Travel Hit

Heavy Rain, Landslides Bring Mumbai-Pune Travel to a Standstill; Trains Cancelled, Expressway Closed

Relentless monsoon rain brought transport between Mumbai and Pune to a standstill on Monday after landslides and flooding disrupted rail and road networks, forcing train cancellations, highway closures and widespread traffic diversions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Pune and an orange alert for Mumbai as heavy rainfall continued to batter the region. Authorities urged people to avoid non-essential travel, warning that weather conditions could worsen through the day.

Rail Services Hit by Landslides

Train operations on the busy Mumbai-Pune route were severely affected after multiple landslides struck the Bhor Ghat section during the early hours of Monday. The first landslide was reported around 3.05 am near Thakurwadi in the Karjat-Lonavala section, followed shortly by another between Khandala and Monkey Hill.

According to Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Swapnil Nila, incessant rain triggered landslides that blocked all three railway lines in the ghat section—the Up line towards Mumbai, the Down line towards Pune and the Middle line.

“Due to incessant heavy rainfall in the South East Ghat section between Karjat and Lonavala, a landslide occurred between Thakurvadi and Monkey Hill Loop Cabin on the Up Main Line of Mumbai Division,” Nila said. The disruption led to the cancellation of at least 16 trains, while nine others were diverted. Several long-distance services were also short-terminated, short-originated or rescheduled.

Among the cancelled trains were the CSMT-Pune Indrayani Express, Intercity Express, Deccan Express, Deccan Queen, Pragati Express, Dhule Express and the Pune-CSMT Sinhagad Express.Railway officials said debris removal and track restoration work had begun, advising passengers to verify the latest train status before heading to stations.

Expressway and Old Highway Closed

Road traffic between the two cities was also brought to a halt after authorities shut both carriageways of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the old Mumbai-Pune Highway until further notice. A landslide near the exit of Tunnel 2 on the Khopoli-Kusgaon Missing Link forced traffic diversions on the Pune-bound carriageway, while flooding left several stretches of the old highway submerged.

Police said flood-like conditions in Maval and Tamhini Ghat had also affected alternate routes connecting Mumbai and Pune. Officials further reported that the expressway was closed between the Connecting Link and Missing Link sections after a concrete pillar collapsed onto the carriageway.

The Highway Traffic Police said heavy waterlogging and fresh landslides continued to hamper movement through the Khandala Ghat stretch.

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) said traffic diversions had been implemented from 4 am as a precaution and that the situation was being closely monitored in coordination with traffic police. In a public advisory, police appealed to commuters to postpone travel between Mumbai and Pune until conditions improve.

“Citizens are requested not to undertake any journey between Pune and Mumbai until further directions are issued. Those planning to travel are advised to postpone their journey and follow traffic advisories and updates issued by government agencies,” the advisory said.

As the rain continued, authorities declared a holiday for all government, private and civic-run schools and colleges in Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Palghar districts on Monday to ensure public safety.