Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 7 (ANI): Traffic movement on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway Connecting Link Road resumed after authorities completed extensive safety operations following a landslide triggered by overnight heavy rainfall, even as rail services in parts of Maharashtra continued to face disruptions due to waterlogging.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Monday said vehicular movement had been restored on the route and urged people to remain cautious.
"Traffic is resumed at the "Connecting Link; vehicular movement is restored. The government is trying its best. Stay safe, everyone !," the CMO Maharashtra said in a post on X.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) also confirmed that traffic had resumed on the Pune-Mumbai Connecting Link Road after extensive safety measures were carried out.
"Traffic has resumed on the Pune-Mumbai Connecting Link Road. Vehicular movement has been restored after completion of extensive safety operations," the MSRDC said in a post on X.
Heavy rainfall triggered landslides in the Mumbai-Pune ghat section on Monday, severely disrupting both rail and road connectivity between the two cities. Boulders fell on railway tracks, while traffic on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the old Mumbai-Pune Highway was also suspended following a major landslide.
Meanwhile, rail traffic in the Mumbai Central Division of Western Railway has been affected due to waterlogging in the Vasai Road, Nalasopara and Virar sections caused by continuous heavy rainfall. Keeping passenger safety and operational requirements in mind, several trains have been cancelled, while the routes of others have been diverted.
According to Western Railway, Train No. 19016 Porbandar-Dadar Express, Train No. 19218 Veraval-Bandra Terminus Express and Train No. 12941 Bhavnagar Terminus-Asansol Express, all scheduled for July 7, have been cancelled. Train No. 12942 Asansol-Bhavnagar Terminus Express, scheduled for July 9, has also been cancelled.
Additionally, Train No. 20495 Jodhpur-Hadapsar Express and Train No. 22497 Sri Ganganagar-Tiruchirappalli Express, both departing on July 6, have been diverted via the Surat-Paldhi-Jalgaon-Manmad-Daund Chord Line-Pune route.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Mumbai, Kolhapur, Satara, Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts, forecasting moderate spells of rain at isolated places.
Earlier, the IMD had issued a Red Alert for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Pune and the Ghats of Nashik, warning of very heavy rainfall, strong winds and the possibility of waterlogging.
Further, the state government has declared work from home for all offices, and disaster relief forces have been deployed for rescue operations. The CM also appealed to people to be cautious as the IMD has issued a cloudburst alert for July 7 between Nashik and Trimbakeshwar.
According to Maharashtra CMO, Palghar and the Konkan region are also under a red alert for July 7; 500 citizens in Palghar are being moved to safer locations.
The CMO has advised pilgrims not to enter Alandi after all four bridges leading into Alandi were submerged due to flooding of the Indrayani River. (ANI)
