MSRDC to install nets to avoid damage by landslides

To avoid traffic jams and loss caused due to landslides, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has decided to strengthen the hilly slopes at various stretches of the 95-km long Mumbai-Pune Expressway by installation of nets and by means of rock bolting to avoid landslides.

MSRDC was criticised last year after incidents of landslides were becoming frequent during monsoon in which two people reportedly lost their lives, forcing MSRDC to carry out fresh geological survey of the rocky area on the expressway.

Further, MSRDC has come out with '12.1 crore tender to design and carry out the execution of rocks identified as rock fall risk areas as a mitigation measure. Last year, there were two grave incidents of landsliding at Bor Ghat, which is located at the entrance of Adoshi Tunnel resulting the state highway police diverting the traffic on the old Mumbai-Pune Highway.

“We are not only going to carry out rock bolting where bolts are inserted to remove loosen rocks but also install nets at the rock falling areas to avoid disturbance of traffic and human loss,” said Sanjay Gurgunde, executive engineer, MSRDC. According to officials, they are also concentrating on areas submitted by the Pune and Navi Mumbai divisions of state highway police identifying ultra risky spots.