Malshej ghat reopens after landslide

The district collector, however, has prohibited picnickers near waterfalls in the ghat till August 31, as the risk of landslide has not yet subsided.

Four days after a major landslide rendered the Malshej ghat unsuitable for traffic, the authorities managed to clear the debris and opened the ghat for traffic on Saturday.

The Malshej Ghat, a popular picnic destination during monsoons, is prone to landslides. (HT File)

The district collector, however, has prohibited picnickers near waterfalls in the ghat till August 31, as the risk of landslide has not yet subsided.

On August 21, a major landslide took place 500 metres from Chatri Point. The point witnessed another landslide a month ago. Shivaji Patil, resident deputy collector, said, “The intensity of the rain was very heavy on August 21 and 22 and it was difficult for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to remove the debris. However, they stationed all their machineries at the spot to finish the work at the earliest.”

Aniruddha Ashtaputre, district information officer, said, “There is still a risk of major landslide. Thus, collector Rajesh Narvekar had imposed restrictions on going anywhere around 1 kilometre of waterfalls in this ghat.”