Tanker Accident Triggers Massive Traffic Gridlock
Traffic on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway resumed early Thursday after a nearly 32-hour disruption caused by a tanker accident near the Adoshi tunnel in the Khandala ghat section. The tanker, carrying highly inflammable propylene gas, overturned on Tuesday evening while traveling from Kochi to Surat. As a safety measure, authorities immediately shut down the Mumbai-bound carriageway to prevent further risks. Within hours, vehicles piled up for several kilometres, creating one of the longest traffic jams in the expressway’s history.
Rescue Operations and Traffic Restoration Efforts
Officials worked through the night to transfer the hazardous gas and remove the damaged tanker from the road. Authorities finally restored traffic around 2 am on Thursday after completing the delicate operation. Initially, traffic moved slowly due to a truck breakdown near Malavli and congestion near Kamshet. However, heavy police deployment and active monitoring helped stabilise vehicle movement later in the morning. According to highway officials, many travellers postponed their journeys, which kept traffic volume lower than usual.
Commuters Struggle Without Water, Food, and Toilets
The prolonged gridlock caused severe hardship for thousands of commuters trapped on the highway. Many motorists spent over a day inside their vehicles without access to drinking water, food, or toilet facilities. Passengers rationed supplies, skipped meals, and relied on limited resources. Elderly travellers reported dehydration, body pain, and anxiety. Several bus services between Pune and Mumbai were cancelled, leaving passengers stranded at terminals and roadside stops. Stranded commuters also complained about poor communication regarding reopening timelines, which added to their distress.
Government Response and Safety Review Ordered
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident and directed the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation to submit a report with preventive recommendations. Emergency response teams, along with specialists from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, managed the gas containment operation despite high internal pressure and damaged valves. Highway Police Superintendent Tanaji Chikhale stated that public safety remained the top priority throughout the process. With nearly 100,000 vehicles using the expressway daily, experts stress the need for improved emergency management systems to prevent similar crises in the future.
