Subhechcha Ganguly 
Traffic movement on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway was restored in the early hours of Thursday, nearly 32 hours after a tanker carrying highly inflammable propylene gas overturned near the Adoshi tunnel in the Khandala ghat section, triggering one of the longest traffic disruptions in the expressway’s history.
Authorities resumed traffic around 2 am after successfully completing the delicate operation of transferring the gas and removing the overturned tanker. Initial movement remained slow due to a truck breakdown near Malavli and congestion caused by stranded heavy vehicles near Kamshet, but traffic conditions gradually improved under heavy police deployment and active monitoring at key bottlenecks.
Officials said vehicle volume remained lower than usual, as many commuters chose to delay or cancel their travel plans. “Traffic has largely returned to normal, though the number of vehicles is less than on a regular day,” a highway police officer said.
The massive traffic jam, which stretched into its second day on Wednesday, left thousands of motorists stranded for hours without access to basic facilities such as drinking water, food, or toilets. The 94.5-kilometre-long expressway witnessed chaos after traffic began piling up around 5.15 pm on Tuesday, when the tanker—travelling from Kochi in Kerala to Surat in Gujarat—lost control on a downward slope and overturned, leading to a major gas leak.
As a precautionary measure, authorities shut down the entire Mumbai-bound carriageway, citing the hazardous nature of the gas. Highway Police Superintendent Tanaji Chikhale said the situation required extreme caution. “Public safety was our top priority. From halting traffic to transferring the gas and removing the tanker, every step was carried out with careful coordination,” he said.
The prolonged closure severely impacted public transport, with several bus services between Pune and Mumbai cancelled, leaving passengers stranded at terminals and along the highway.
Commuters described harrowing conditions during the standstill. Pune resident Nilay Oza, who was caught in the jam, said uncertainty worsened the ordeal. “There was no clarity on when the road would reopen. It was exhausting, but we understood the danger involved,” he said.
Several motorists reported rationing water, skipping meals, and remaining confined to their vehicles for hours. Elderly passengers complained of dehydration, physical discomfort, and anxiety.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an inquiry into the incident and directed the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation to submit a detailed report along with recommendations to better manage such emergencies in the future.
Emergency response teams, along with a specialised chemical response unit from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, were deployed at the site. Officials said the containment operation was delayed due to high gas pressure inside the tanker and damage to its valves.
On average, nearly one lakh vehicles use the Mumbai–Pune Expressway daily. During the incident, the Mumbai-bound traffic jam stretched nearly 10 to 12 kilometres, paralysing one of Maharashtra’s most critical transport corridors.
