20-Km Jam Traps Hundreds on Mumbai-Pune Expressway After Gas Tanker Crash
20-km jam on Mumbai-Pune Expressway after gas tanker overturns and leaks.
A major traffic disruption occurred on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway after a gas tanker carrying propylene overturned near the Adoshi tunnel in Raigad district at 5 pm on Tuesday. The accident caused a flammable gas leak, prompting authorities to halt traffic and prioritize public safety. Hundreds of motorists, including women and children, were stranded along the Khandala Ghat section.
The tanker reportedly lost control due to high speed and the slope of the road, leading to the overturn. Motorists faced extreme hardship as many were without sufficient food, water, or access to toilets. The line of stalled vehicles stretched 20 km, including commuter cars and heavy commercial trucks.
Traffic disruption forced the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to cancel 139 scheduled bus trips, including 37 E-Shivneri services. Authorities diverted some vehicles to the old Mumbai-Pune highway, but movement remained slow due to the ongoing gas leak.
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Responding to the situation, NCP MP Sunil Tatkare emphasized that public safety was the top priority. He urged commuters to understand that precautionary measures, including halting traffic, were necessary to prevent potential accidents due to the flammable gas.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and BPCL were deployed to manage the leak, while highway traffic police advised motorists to avoid the expressway until normal traffic was restored. Clearing the road is expected to continue into the night.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, India’s first six-lane, access-controlled concrete highway, spans 94.5 km and connects Mumbai, Raigad, Navi Mumbai, and Pune. Officials confirmed that the delay was unavoidable due to the hazardous nature of propylene gas, highlighting the importance of safety over convenience during the operation.
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