Revellers planning to visit Malshej Ghat this weekend will have to change their plans, as the it has been closed for tourists this weekend. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the Thane collector have given orders for the ghat to remain closed on July 15 and 16, fearing landslide.
The NHAI said that the side shoulders of the Ghat have washed away and due to heavy rainfall, and small pebbles and stones keep on falling on the highway.
Malshej Ghat is one of the most popular monsoon picnic spot among the tourists from Mumbai and Thane, owing to its many scenic waterfalls and trekking points. The Malshej Ghat road, a 10 kilometer stretch, is the only motorable road for people commuting from Kalyan to Ahmednagar. Around 1,000 vehicles pass from the road daily. The road is prone to constant landslides and has being shut multiple times during the monsoon. There are at least ten dangerous spot along this road.
Read: Two Pune trekkers on their way to Maharashtra’s Devkund waterfall go missing
An officer from NHAI told Hindustan Times, “The area has received heavy rainfall in the last two days, owing to which the side shoulder of the Ghat has washed away. Many big and small stones are falling on the highway and we fear a major landslide along this stretch. To avoid a major accident, we requested the Thane collector to close the Ghat during the weekend as thousands of picnickers visit the place.”
{{/usCountry}}An officer from NHAI told Hindustan Times, “The area has received heavy rainfall in the last two days, owing to which the side shoulder of the Ghat has washed away. Many big and small stones are falling on the highway and we fear a major landslide along this stretch. To avoid a major accident, we requested the Thane collector to close the Ghat during the weekend as thousands of picnickers visit the place.”
{{/usCountry}}The traffic going towards Ahmednagar will have to take the Nasik road to reach Ahmednagaar, and the Old Pune Road for going to Pune.
Read: Missing Pune trekkers found dead at Maharashtra’s Devkund, police want to stop trekking in the area
The traffic police said that the traffic from Kalyan has been diverted. “Those coming from Kalyan towards the Ghat will be diverted from Saralgaon towards Nasik, and will have to go to Ahmednagar from Nasik, while those coming towards the Ghat from the Ahmednagar area will be diverted from Sitewadi village towards the Pune-Mumbai Expressway.”
About Malshej Ghat
Malshej Ghat is located 90km from Thane on the Kalyan- Murbad- Nagar road. It is a popular picnic spot during the monsoon, frequented by trekkers and adventure lovers. Most families also visit this spot to enjoy its many waterfalls and scenic lush green valleys. The Ghat is nestled in the arms of Western Ghat ranges. Few reverse water falls can also be witnessed in case of strong winds and heavy rains. Some waterfalls also flow on the road, making it a thrilling drive for adventure lovers.
Read: 2 Mumbai trekkers survive 200-foot fall, rescued from Raigad after 5-hour operation
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