Traffic movement on a 24-kilometre stretch of Maharashtra's Samruddhi Expressway was diverted late Saturday evening after a gas leak was reported from a GAIL pipeline near Takliwadi in Gangapur taluka of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The leak was reported at around 5 pm from a section of the pipeline located alongside the expressway. Following the incident, the district administration immediately activated precautionary measures and informed officials of Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) to prevent any potential risk to motorists and people in the surrounding area.

The gas leak prompted authorities to take steps to keep traffic away from the affected section while technical teams responded to the situation. Fire-fighting equipment was also positioned at the site as a precaution, officials said. The emergency arrangements were put in place in case the leaking gas created a safety hazard. Authorities continued to monitor the area while GAIL experts worked on isolating the affected portion of the pipeline and reducing the pressure within it.

GAIL experts shut valves on both sides of the affected section of the pipeline following the report of the leak. The district administration said that after the valves were closed, the pressure inside the pipeline began gradually reducing. Shutting the valves is intended to restrict the flow of gas towards the affected section and help technical teams manage the situation safely. Officials are monitoring the pressure and condition of the pipeline as the response operation continues.

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As a precaution, traffic between chainage 447 and 470 of the Samruddhi Expressway has been diverted. The affected stretch runs between Hadas Pimpalgaon and Maliwada and covers approximately 24 kilometres. District Collector Vinay Gowda G C announced the traffic restrictions through an official release. The diversion was introduced to maintain a safe distance between vehicles and the location of the pipeline leak while emergency and technical personnel continue their work.

Motorists travelling towards Mumbai have been instructed to leave the Samruddhi Expressway at the Hadas Pimpalgaon interchange. They have then been directed to take the Dhule-Solapur highway before re-entering the Samruddhi Expressway at Maliwada. Authorities have advised vehicles to follow the designated diversion route rather than attempting to use the restricted section. The alternative route is intended to maintain traffic movement while allowing the response teams to operate without the additional risk posed by passing vehicles.

The incident occurred on a major expressway corridor, making traffic management an important part of the administration's response. The Samruddhi Expressway connects major parts of Maharashtra and carries substantial vehicle traffic. Restricting movement on the affected stretch allows officials to focus on the pipeline while reducing the number of people potentially exposed to the leak. The availability of fire-fighting equipment at the site also provides an additional emergency safeguard while the technical assessment continues.

The district administration and GAIL officials are continuing to coordinate their response at the site. With the valves on both sides of the affected pipeline section shut, officials said the pressure is gradually coming down. Authorities will continue monitoring the situation before deciding when normal traffic can resume on the affected stretch. Until then, motorists travelling towards Mumbai are expected to use the Hadas Pimpalgaon-Dhule-Solapur highway-Maliwada diversion. The administration's immediate priority remains controlling the leak, ensuring the safety of emergency personnel and motorists, and restoring normal movement once the area is declared safe.

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