30-hour gridlock jam cripples Mumbai–Pune Expressway

One of the worst traffic disruptions in the history of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway unfolded after a gas tanker overturned near the Adoshi tunnel on Tuesday evening, bringing traffic to a standstill for nearly 27 hours and leaving thousands of commuters stranded. The 94.5-km expressway, which connects Mumbai and Pune and handles nearly one lakh vehicles daily, remained partially paralysed well into Wednesday.

The incident occurred around 5:15 pm when a tanker transporting highly flammable propylene gas from Kochi to Surat lost control and overturned on the Mumbai-bound carriageway in the Borghat section. The accident led to a major gas leak, prompting authorities to shut down the entire Mumbai-bound lane as a precaution. Traffic heading towards Pune backed up till the Khalapur toll plaza, while long queues of vehicles stretched 10 to 12 kilometres on the Mumbai-bound side.

Also Read: Trump Calls for “Softer Touch” After Fatal Immigration Raids in Minneapolis

Gas tanker overturns, sparks 27-hour traffic chaos on Mumbai–Pune Expressway

Emergency response teams, including the NDRF, fire brigade and a specialised chemical response unit from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, rushed to the spot. However, extremely high pressure inside the tanker and damage to its valves delayed containment operations. Fire engines continuously sprayed water to keep temperatures low and prevent ignition, while authorities created a 500-metre safety zone around the accident site. Teams gradually transferred the gas to another tanker, and crews removed the overturned vehicle late Wednesday night, allowing traffic to slowly resume around midnight.

The prolonged disruption triggered sharp reactions, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordering an inquiry into the incident. He directed the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation to submit a detailed report along with recommendations to strengthen emergency response mechanisms on the expressway.

For commuters, the traffic jam turned into an exhausting and distressing experience. Families with small children, elderly passengers and patients said they remained stuck for hours without access to toilets, drinking water or food. Many motorists said they rationed water and skipped meals, while others complained of dehydration, body pain and anxiety. Although authorities advised commuters to take alternate routes such as Tamhini Ghat, Karjat and Malshej Ghat, these roads were also congested and lacked basic facilities.

Police later registered an FIR, stating that the accident occurred due to negligent driving at high speed without considering road conditions. Officials said the tanker was carrying gas under very high pressure, making the operation risky and time-consuming. The incident has once again highlighted gaps in disaster management and emergency preparedness on one of Maharashtra’s most critical highways.

Also Read: Congress recalls Manmohan Singh blocked from speech in 2004