Missing Link Landslide: Videos Show Fallen Debris After Continuous Rain; Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) Target Maha Govt
A landslide on the Mumbai-Pune 'Missing Link' project has blocked traffic amid heavy rain, just two months after its opening. Opposition leaders, including Aaditya Thackeray and Varsha Gaikwad, have targeted the state government, questioning the project's construction quality and safety standards following the recurring infrastructure failures.
A major landslide on the newly inaugurated Mumbai-Pune Expressway "Missing Link" project has forced the suspension of traffic, further crippling connectivity between the two cities amidst incessant monsoon rains on Monday, July 6. The incident, which occurred near the exit of Tunnel 2, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who have questioned the quality and safety standards of the multi-crore infrastructure project.
Landslide and Traffic Disruption
The landslide, triggered by heavy, continuous rainfall in the Bhor Ghat section, deposited debris and boulders onto the Pune-to-Mumbai carriageway. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) confirmed the blockage and initiated traffic diversions as early as 4:00 AM to ensure commuter safety. Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link Closed After Landslide Near Tunnel 2, Traffic Diverted.
Missing Link Is Flooded and Closed
Landslide Occurs on the Missing Link section of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway
Traffic on both the Pune-Mumbai Expressway and the old highway has been suspended until further notice. While restoration work is underway, authorities have urged citizens to avoid all non-essential travel between the two cities as multiple routes remain affected by flooding and waterlogging.
Missing Link Has Now Had a Landslide, Says Aaditya Thackeray
Rail and Road Traffic Between Mumbai and Pune Are Stuck, Says Varsha Gaikwad
Opposition Parties Target Government
The incident has intensified political tensions, with leaders from Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) targeting the state government over the project’s stability. Critics have pointed out that the "Missing Link", a flagship infrastructure project featuring advanced tunnels and cable-stayed bridges, was opened to the public just over two months ago on May 1, 2026, at an estimated cost of INR 7,000 crore. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticised the government, noting the rapid deterioration of the high-cost project. In his statement on X (formerly Twitter), he questioned the administration's claims of world-class engineering, highlighting how quickly the structure succumbed to monsoon conditions. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Thackeray said, "It has now had a landslide and much more within 2 months of its checks and inaugurations."
Similarly, Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad condemned the state of the infrastructure, labelling the recurring issues - ranging from recent potholes to this major landslide - as a failure of the current government's oversight. She argued that the safety of commuters is being compromised, and questioned the accountability of the agencies involved in the construction and maintenance of the expressway. "The Chief Minister had tried to explain away the potholes in the Missing Link as testing, wonder what sort of test is this! Perhaps it is a test of the patience of the people of Maharashtra," she wrote on X. Mumbai-Pune Train Services Hit by Landslides After Heavy Rain; Several Express Trains Cancelled.
Project Background and Safety Concerns
The Missing Link project was designed to significantly reduce travel time and congestion on the vital Mumbai-Pune corridor. However, its brief operational history has been marred by controversy. Before the landslide, the project faced scrutiny over reports of potholes, which the state government had previously dismissed as part of the initial "settling and testing" phase of the road. As restoration teams work to clear the debris, experts and opposition members are calling for a thorough audit of the project’s design and construction quality, especially in light of the region's vulnerability to extreme weather during the monsoon season. Authorities have maintained that tunnel and bridge structures remain intact, and they continue to monitor the site closely.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 06, 2026 11:14 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).