Mumbai-Pune Expressway Gridlock Stretches to 27 Hours After Gas Tanker Overturns
Thousands stranded without food, water or toilets; CM Fadnavis orders inquiry into one of expressway's longest traffic jams
One of the longest traffic gridlocks in the history of the 94.5-kilometer Mumbai-Pune Expressway stretched into its second day on Wednesday, leaving thousands of commuters stranded for nearly 27 hours without access to basic amenities after a gas tanker carrying highly flammable propylene overturned near Adoshi tunnel.
The overturned tanker was finally emptied and moved late Wednesday night, with traffic gradually resuming on the Mumbai-bound carriageway around midnight.
How the Crisis Unfolded
Traffic began piling up around 5:15 PM on Tuesday after a tanker travelling from Kochi to Surat overturned on the Mumbai-bound lane near Adoshi village in the Borghat section, approximately 90 kilometers from Mumbai.
The accident triggered a major gas leak, forcing authorities to shut down the entire Mumbai-bound carriageway as a precautionary measure. The expressway typically handles one lakh vehicles daily.
Containment Challenges
Emergency response teams including NDRF, fire brigade, and a specialized chemical response team from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited rushed to the scene. However, containment efforts were delayed due to extremely high gas pressure inside the tanker and damage to its valves.
"There was 21 tonnes of propylene gas which was refilled in another tanker. Once the assurance of safety is given by the gas company teams for the overturned tanker, it will be moved from the site," Highway Police Superintendent Tanaji Chikhale explained.
Scale of Disruption
Impact Parameter | Details |
Duration | Nearly 27 hours |
Queue Length | 10-12 km on Mumbai-bound side |
Backup Extent | Till Khalapur toll plaza (Pune-bound) |
Gas Quantity | 21 tonnes propylene |
Commuters' Ordeal
For stranded travelers, the delay became a humanitarian crisis. Pune resident Rohit More remained stuck overnight near Khalapur toll naka with his one-year-old and three-year-old children.
"There are no toilets, no place to even step out safely. Managing infants inside a parked car for hours is exhausting," he said. "Milk ran out, diapers became an issue, and the children cried through the night."
CM Orders Inquiry
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an inquiry into the incident, directing MSRDC officials to submit a report with recommendations for handling such emergencies in future.