Rockfall Inside Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link Tunnel Damages Car, Driver Suffers Minor Injuries
Rockfall Inside Mumbai–Pune Expressway Missing Link Tunnel Damages Car, Driver Suffers Minor Injuries
Pune, June 30, 2026: A car travelling through the Missing Link section of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway was damaged after rocks fell inside Tunnel No. 2 on Monday evening. The driver escaped with minor injuries despite the impact shattering the vehicle’s front windshield.
According to the Khandala Highway Police, the incident occurred while the vehicle was heading towards Pune through Tunnel No. 2. Two to three rocks reportedly dislodged from above and struck the windshield, causing it to crack and sending broken glass into the cabin.
The driver, identified as 53-year-old Uchappa Khatanappa Varchalli, a resident of Khopoli in Raigad district, sustained minor injuries. Police said he did not lodge a formal complaint regarding the incident.
The mishap has sparked fresh concerns about commuter safety on the Missing Link corridor, which was opened to traffic on May 1, 2026. The infrastructure project is expected to reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune by 25 to 30 minutes under normal traffic conditions and by up to an hour during peak congestion. It features one of the world’s widest road tunnels and a cable-stayed bridge across Tiger Valley.
Following the incident, authorities reiterated their appeal to motorists to strictly follow traffic and safety regulations while using the Missing Link route. Drivers have been advised against stopping on bridges or near tunnel entrances and cautioned not to step out of their vehicles for photographs or videos, as doing so could endanger their safety.
