Warning: Danger Ahead

Despite MSRDC taking several precautions, landslides continue to make the Mumbai-Pune Expressway unsafe for motorists this monsoon

Warning: Danger Ahead

Despite MSRDC taking several precautions, landslides continue to make the Mumbai-Pune Expressway unsafe for motorists this monsoon

The incident on Monday when a landslide in the Adoshi tunnel near Khandala ghat on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway killed one and injured five others has once again brought to the fore the risk motorists face while driving on the expressway during the monsoon. In fact, a spokesperson for the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) stated that though they have taken measures to prevent landslides, on an average, 10 landslides take place every monsoon. The spots near Adoshi tunnel, Dukes Hotel and Khandala tunnel are the most unsafe areas on the expressway.

Why unsafe?
"In these areas, the expressway passes through the hillock region. We have taken remedial measures of covering the hills with high-strength steel nets to stop boulders from falling. However, there is no way one can stop landslides, which occur when the soil loosens in the upper region of the hills," said the MSRDC spokesperson.

The spot near Khandala is even more vulnerable as the Rajmachi tunnel on the old Pune-Mumbai Highway was blasted to pave the way for the expressway corridor. This has affected the internal structure of the hill, making it prone to landslides.

MSRDC has also tried to prevent landslides by cementing the rock surfaces and by bolting loose rocks to a stable rock with iron rods.

Stick to the tracks
Yet, Puneites still fear driving on the expressway. Prashant Kadam, a chartered accountant, said, "I dread travelling by the E-way during the rains as the chances of vehicles skidding or trafficu00a0 jams due to landslide are high. I take the train instead."