IIT Experts Inspect Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link After Landslide

A team of experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) inspected the Mumbai–Pune Expressway's Missing Link project after a recent landslide to assess its structural stability and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The inspection was carried out following a rockfall near Tunnel 2 that led to the temporary closure of the newly inaugurated corridor. During the site visit, the experts examined the landslide-hit slope, tunnel portals, retaining structures and surrounding geological conditions to determine whether the incident had affected the safety of the expressway.

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) said the IIT team will submit a detailed technical report after analysing the site conditions. The report is expected to recommend slope stabilisation measures, drainage improvements and any additional engineering interventions required to ensure the long-term safety of the corridor.

MSRDC officials maintained that the tunnel itself did not suffer structural damage and attributed the landslide to intense monsoon rainfall. Traffic on the Missing Link section remains subject to weather conditions and ongoing safety assessments.

The Missing Link project, inaugurated earlier this year, was built to shorten travel time between Mumbai and Pune by bypassing the ghat section through tunnels and viaducts. The independent inspection was ordered to verify the project's safety following the landslide and reinforce commuter confidence.