Ambenali Ghat Closed: Raigad District Collector Bans Traffic for 4 Days Due to Landslide Risk
Alibag, 3rd July 2026: In a major safety move following continuous heavy downpours, the Raigad District Administration on Friday issued an official notification declaring a complete ban on all vehicular traffic along the Poladpur-Mahabaleshwar road (Ambenali Ghat, State Highway 139). The emergency closure will remain in effect for four days, from July 3, 2026, to July 6, 2026.
The strict directive was issued by Raigad District Collector and District Magistrate Kishan Jawale. Exercising powers under Sections 115 and 116 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the administration aimed to preemptively prevent potential road accidents and safeguard lives.
The order was triggered by official recommendations submitted by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) Executive Engineer, the Superintendent of Police (Raigad-Alibag), and the Poladpur Tehsildar (Chairman of the Taluka Disaster Management Authority).
Sahyadri’s Longest Pass Under Severe Threat
The 40-kilometer Ambenali Ghat cuts through the ecologically sensitive Sahyadri mountain range. It is widely recognized as a highly sensitive, landslide-prone, and rockfall-prone zone. The route features narrow, winding paths, steep slopes, deep ravines, natural water channels, weather-beaten basalt rocks, and unstable layers of soil.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) records, this region frequently experiences sudden bursts of extremely heavy rainfall. The deluge destabilizes the slopes, resulting in sudden:
Large-scale landslides and rockfalls
Falling of uprooted trees and dense foliage onto the roadway
Flash torrents and waterlogging across the highway
Severe erosion of road shoulders and caving of valley-side edges
Thick fog, causing near-zero visibility
Despite ongoing safety works—such as the installation of crash barriers, drainage improvements, and the construction of protective retaining walls—the current severe weather poses an unacceptable risk to travelers.
Phase-Wise Traffic Restrictions and Monsoon Rules
Under the newly issued executive order, all categories of vehicles are subject to strict regulatory measures during both the immediate four-day emergency period and the broader monsoon season.
During the immediate emergency closure from July 3 to July 6, 2026, a total and absolute ban is enforced. No vehicles—regardless of whether they are heavy transport trucks, commercial vehicles, or private light vehicles—are permitted to ply the Ambenali Ghat at any time of the day or night. This temporary total shutdown is designed to allow emergency services to monitor the slopes and clear any debris without risking public safety.
Beyond this immediate four-day emergency window, standard monsoon traffic protocols will apply to the ghat. Heavy vehicles remain completely banned from using the route during nighttime hours, with highly restricted access permitted only during the day under favorable conditions. For light vehicles, travel will be suspended completely whenever the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues an Orange or Red alert for the Raigad district. Additionally, to minimize risk in low-visibility conditions, a blanket ban on all night traffic will remain active for the entirety of the monsoon season.
Prescribed Alternative Routes
Commuters traveling between the Konkan region and the Deccan plateau (Pune, Satara, and Kolhapur) are strictly instructed to avoid Ambenali Ghat and utilize the following detours:
For Pune/Satara bound traffic:
Mangaon – Tamhini Ghat – Pune – Satara
For Satara/Kolhapur bound traffic:
Poladpur – Chiplun – Patan – Satara – Kolhapur
Collector Kishan Jawale has appealed to the public to avoid non-essential travel in the ghat areas during the monsoon, prioritize personal safety, and cooperate with local authorities to avoid accidents.
