Varandha Ghat Road Closed for Repairs Till April 30; Pune Collector Issues Official Order

The Varandha Ghat road connecting Pune and Raigad districts is shut until April 30 for repair and strengthening works, with motorists urged to use alternatives.

Pune | 28 March, 2026: The scenic yet challenging Varandha Ghat road, an important mountain route linking Pune with Raigad district, has been officially closed for repair work until 30 April 2026, the Pune District Administration announced on Friday. The temporary closure comes after an official order by Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi, who said that sections of the ghat road have deteriorated significantly and require urgent repair, strengthening and safety improvements before the onset of the monsoon season.

The Varandha Ghat-part of National Highway-965 that cuts through the Western Ghats from Bhor to Mahad—is known for its scenic landscapes and sharp curves. But its geography also makes it vulnerable to wear, tear and danger for vehicles, especially in the absence of strong protective infrastructure. The administration noted that multiple stretches had shown signs of surface damage and structural weakness, prompting the precautionary closure from March 25 through April 30 to ensure that repair work can proceed safely and uninterrupted.

Collector Dudi’s order emphasised motorist safety as the top priority, especially given the high risk of accidents on ghat roads with heavy traffic and challenging gradients. The closure affects all types of vehicular traffic, with officials appealing to daily commuters, commercial transporters and tourists to avoid the route during this period and use alternative roads such as Tamhini Ghat, Ambenali Ghat or the Mumbai–Pune Expressway depending on their destination.

Officials said the repair work will include strengthening the pavement, repairing damaged sections, improving drainage, and addressing any potential landslide-prone spots that could pose danger during rain or heavy winds. Varandha Ghat has historically seen periodic closures during monsoons due to landslide risk and road damage, making off-season maintenance crucial. Experts and commuters alike have repeatedly expressed the need for sustained improvements on the route to ensure smoother connectivity between Pune and the Konkan region.

The current closure is expected to provide road agencies and contractors with the necessary time window to strengthen the ghat sections before the heavy rainfall season sets in, which typically begins in June. Authorities are hopeful that completing key works now will help prevent extended and more disruptive closures later, when the region faces higher rainfall and softer soil conditions that can exacerbate road issues.

This isn’t the first time Varandha Ghat has faced extended closures: previous years have seen similar seasonal shutdowns and maintenance periods due to landslide risks and safety concerns in the hilly stretch. While long-distance traffic tends to prefer alternative routes during closures, local commuters and transporters say they often face economic and travel inconveniences when the ghat is sealed for months.

In concluding remarks, the Pune administration called for public cooperation and compliance with the temporary ban, stressing that safety improvements and road strengthening will benefit the region’s connectivity in the long term. Local transport unions and tour operators are advising travellers to plan journeys accordingly and remain updated through official traffic advisories until the ghat reopens for all vehicles at the end of April.

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