Landslides Shut Mumbai-Pune Highway and Expressway; Karjat-Khopoli Train Services Suspended After Ballast Washout (Watch)
Incessant heavy rainfall across Maharashtra has severely disrupted major transit routes between Mumbai and Pune. Central Railway officials announced the temporary suspension of train services between Karjat and Khopoli early Monday morning following a ballast washout-where the foundational gravel supporting the tracks is swept away by intense water flow.
Incessant heavy rainfall across Maharashtra has severely disrupted major transit routes between Mumbai and Pune. Central Railway officials announced the temporary suspension of train services between Karjat and Khopoli early Monday morning following a ballast washout-where the foundational gravel supporting the tracks is swept away by intense water flow. The track damage was spotted by alert railway staff during routine inspections. Central Railway has deployed emergency restoration teams and mobilized resources to repair the affected section, though a definitive timeline for resumption remains unannounced.
The suspension comes amidst wider travel chaos in the region. Continuous downpours have triggered multiple landslides in the critical Bhor Ghat (Khandala Ghat) section between Karjat and Lonavala, completely blocking all three railway lines. Landslides were reported near Thakurwadi and between Khandala and Monkey Hill, forcing the cancellation or diversion of prominent trains including the Deccan Queen, Sinhagad Express, and Indrayani Express. Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link Closed After Landslide Near Tunnel 2, Traffic Diverted.
The severe weather has impacted road commuters as well. Authorities completely closed both the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the old Mumbai-Pune Highway following a significant landslide near the exit of the newly built 'Missing Link' tunnel. Traffic on the Pune-to-Mumbai carriageway has been diverted since 4:00 AM as a safety precaution, leaving the two major economic hubs temporarily cut off by both rail and road.
The situation remains critical in nearby Pune district, where a landslide struck a residential structure in Patan village (Mawal taluka) early Monday morning. A 30-member team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been dispatched to the site to conduct search and rescue operations amid fears that a family may be trapped under the debris. Mumbai Building Collapse: 6 Dead After 3-Storey Structure Crashes Onto Shanties in Mankhurd Amid Heavy Rain (Watch Videos).
Karjat-Khopoli Trains Suspended Due to Track Washout Amid Heavy Rains
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Pune and an orange alert for Mumbai, warning of continued heavy downpours throughout the day. In response to the intensifying monsoon conditions, local administrations have declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and Palghar. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that he is actively reviewing the situation, instructing both Central and Western Railway teams to work jointly toward early restoration.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 06, 2026 08:48 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).