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MSRDC orders technical probe into Missing Link landslide
The landslide, triggered by heavy overnight rain, occurred near the exit of Tunnel 2, the longest tunnel on the Missing Link section, around 4 am on Monday. Rocks, mud and debris fell onto the Mumbai-bound carriageway, forcing its closure for over 18 hours.
Pune: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has ordered a technical inquiry into the landslide near the newly opened Missing Link tunnel on the Pune–Mumbai Expressway, amid concerns over construction quality and slope stabilisation measures.
The landslide, triggered by heavy overnight rain, occurred near the exit of Tunnel 2, the longest tunnel on the Missing Link section, around 4 am on Monday. Rocks, mud and debris fell onto the Mumbai-bound carriageway, forcing its closure for over 18 hours.
MSRDC has asked experts to determine whether the slope failure was caused only by extreme rainfall or whether engineering, geological or construction issues also played a role.
The inquiry will examine civil works, slope protection systems, rockfall mitigation measures, hill slope stability, drainage arrangements, geological conditions and compliance with safety standards, officials said.
The team will also assess the functioning of retaining walls, rock bolting, protective netting and drainage channels during the rainfall. The report will identify the cause of the landslide and suggest corrective measures before the stretch is declared safe for unrestricted traffic.
A senior MSRDC official, requesting anonymity, said, “A detailed technical investigation has been ordered to ascertain the exact cause of the landslide. Every aspect, including the geological profile, construction quality, slope stabilisation systems and drainage arrangements, will be examined by experts. If any deficiencies are identified, necessary corrective measures will be implemented immediately. Our priority is to ensure that commuter safety is not compromised under any circumstances.”
Traffic on the Mumbai-bound carriageway resumed at 10.10 pm on Monday after safety checks and debris clearance. However, only two left lanes have reopened, while the right lane remains shut after a hillside drainage channel collapsed, allowing water to flow onto the road.
The lane will remain closed until repairs are completed and the slope is certified stable, officials said.
Opened on May 1, the Missing Link project is a major upgrade to the Pune–Mumbai Expressway, designed to bypass the accident-prone Khandala Ghat section through tunnels and viaducts. The landslide, occurring weeks after the project opened, has raised questions over the durability of the newly built infrastructure.
