Massive 24-Hour Traffic Paralysis on Pune-Mumbai Expressway Following Hazardous Gas Leak
The vital Pune-Mumbai Expressway, which serves as a crucial arterial link between Maharashtra's two major metropolitan hubs, experienced one of its most severe and prolonged traffic disruptions in recent history. For over 24 consecutive hours, vehicular movement came to a grinding halt, with queues of stranded vehicles extending beyond an astonishing 12 kilometers in length.
Critical Incident at Adoshi Tunnel Triggers Widespread Chaos
The unprecedented gridlock was triggered by a serious accident involving a Bharat Petroleum tanker transporting highly flammable propylene gas. The vehicle overturned while navigating a curve near the entrance of the Adoshi Tunnel on the Pune to Mumbai corridor of the Expressway at approximately 5:20 PM on Tuesday evening in Raigad district.
Following the overturning, authorities detected a dangerous leak from the damaged tanker. Propylene, an industrial gas extensively used in petrochemical manufacturing processes, poses significant explosive hazards when leaked, necessitating immediate and extreme safety measures.
Immediate Safety Response and Complete Highway Closure
Tanaji Chikhale, Superintendent of Police with the Raigad Division of the Maharashtra State Highway Police, explained the emergency response: "As soon as the leak was detected, we had no alternative but to completely shut down the Pune to Mumbai corridor. We mobilized specialized teams from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to the accident site."
Chikhale further elaborated: "While efforts to control the hazardous leak were underway, traffic on both corridors of the expressway had to be suspended entirely for public safety. Vehicles from preceding points were diverted to the Old Pune Mumbai Highway, which forms part of National Highway 48. This sudden influx of diverted traffic caused significant slowdowns on the Old Highway as well."
The police official confirmed that these emergency measures resulted in the formation of exceptionally long vehicle queues, reaching approximately 10 to 12 kilometers at their peak on the Expressway.
Commuters Endure Extreme Hardship and Extended Delays
The extended traffic disruption caused substantial distress to thousands of daily commuters who rely on this critical transportation corridor. Numerous travelers reported being trapped in the traffic snarls for excruciating periods ranging from 10 to 12 hours, with limited access to essential services and facilities during their prolonged immobilization.
Gradual Restoration of Traffic Flow and Complex Recovery Operation
Chikhale detailed the phased restoration efforts: "During the early hours of Wednesday, we cautiously recommenced vehicle movement on the Mumbai to Pune corridor. We allocated two lanes of this three-lane corridor for Mumbai to Pune traffic and one lane for Pune to Mumbai traffic, which gradually began clearing the extensive queues."
The police superintendent reflected on the disruption's magnitude: "Considering the extensive duration of this incident, it represents possibly one of the longest traffic disruptions ever recorded on the Pune Mumbai Expressway."
High-Risk Gas Transfer Operation and Timeline for Normalization
Once the leak was partially contained, authorities initiated a delicate and high-risk operation to transfer the remaining propylene gas from the damaged tanker to three empty tankers. This critical procedure commenced around 6:00 PM on Wednesday and was projected to conclude by approximately 9:00 PM the same evening.
Chikhale outlined the subsequent steps: "Following the successful completion of the gas transfer operation, the overturned tanker will be carefully straightened and removed from the accident location." Authorities anticipated that traffic conditions would return to normal by Wednesday night, contingent upon the safe conclusion of these complex recovery operations.
Broader Context: Expressway Challenges and Future Infrastructure
The 94-kilometer Pune-Mumbai Expressway, which became operational in the early 2000s, has increasingly faced congestion challenges, particularly in the Ghat sections where heavy vehicle traffic combines with difficult terrain. The stretch of National Highway 48 between Pune and Mumbai, commonly referred to as the Old Mumbai Pune Highway, served as the primary direct road link between the two cities before the Expressway's construction.
Looking toward future improvements, the under-construction Missing Link project between Pune and Mumbai has been specifically designed to bypass the congested Lonavala–Khandala ghat section. This new infrastructure, featuring elevated corridors and tunnels, aims to reduce travel time between the two cities by approximately 25–30 minutes and significantly alleviate traffic pressure on the challenging ghat section with its sharp turns.
