A catastrophic traffic nightmare unfolded on the crucial Pune-Mumbai Expressway, bringing vehicular movement to a grinding halt for over 32 hours and leaving thousands of commuters from all walks of life stranded in a harrowing ordeal. The crisis began on Tuesday afternoon when a tanker transporting highly flammable propylene overturned near the Adoshi Tunnel on the Mumbai-bound carriageway, triggering a massive safety operation and widespread chaos.
Accident Details and Immediate Aftermath
The incident occurred at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday, about 50 meters ahead of the Adoshi Tunnel in the Borghat stretch, which falls within the Khandala ghat section of Raigad district. The tanker overturned as the driver reportedly lost control while navigating the slope near the tunnel. The impact caused significant damage to the tanker at three spots on its valve, leading to an immediate and dangerous leakage of the propylene gas.
Given the highly flammable nature of the chemical, authorities were compelled to implement drastic safety measures. Vehicular traffic towards Mumbai was completely halted, while movement towards Pune was partially restricted. This decision resulted in a massive logjam spanning several kilometers, with the disruption reportedly extending up to 50 kilometers over the subsequent 30 hours.
Rescue and Containment Efforts
A multi-agency response team, including personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), disaster management officials, and the fire brigade, rushed to the accident site. However, initial attempts to stop the leakage proved unsuccessful, necessitating the involvement of specialized chemical experts.
The containment operation was complex and time-consuming. It was only around 10:30 PM on Wednesday that the hazardous gas was successfully transferred from the damaged tanker to a new, secure vessel. Following this critical step, the overturned tanker was removed using a crane, allowing the Mumbai-bound carriageway to finally reopen after 1 AM on Thursday.
Human Impact: Commuters Endure Extreme Hardship
The prolonged closure had a severe human cost, trapping vulnerable individuals including children, senior citizens, and medical patients. Sunita Patil, a 57-year-old woman, was stuck in the traffic for over seven hours. Her son, Aadesh, recounted the desperate measures taken, stating that his brother Sandesh rode a two-wheeler—despite such vehicles being prohibited on the expressway—from Kharghar in Navi Mumbai to the accident site around 1 AM on Wednesday to rescue her.
Another distressing account came from a resident of Latur who was traveling with a cancer patient. "I was taking my friend to Mumbai for a critical treatment, and we had a doctor's appointment scheduled for 8 AM. Due to the road closure, we could not reach the hospital," the commuter lamented, highlighting the life-altering consequences of the disruption.
Authorities' Response and Alternate Routes
Highway police superintendent Tanaji Chikhale detailed the mitigation efforts. "We opened one of the three lanes from the Pune carriageway side for vehicles moving towards Mumbai on Wednesday. We consistently urged people planning to travel to Mumbai to utilize alternate routes via Tamhini Ghat, Malshej Ghat, or Bhimashankar," he said. Light vehicles were diverted via Khopoli from the Magic Point, and entry was stopped near Kiwale in Pimpri Chinchwad to manage the crisis.
Some commuters, like Wasim Joad from Vimannagar, managed to reach Mumbai by taking a significantly longer detour via Tamhini Ghat after returning to Pune. "Though the journey was much longer, I reached my destination as it was important," he stated.
Transportation Sector Severely Affected
The expressway closure had a cascading effect on public and private transport systems. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) was forced to cancel 139 bus trips. MSRTC PRO Abhijeet Bhosale indicated that services would be normalized once the situation stabilized.
Private bus operators also faced major disruptions. Balasaheb Khedekar, president of the Pune District Luxury Bus Owners Association, pointed out practical challenges with the advisory. "There has been an advisory issued suggesting the use of Tamhini Ghat. However, buses are unlikely to take that route due to associated risks and the certainty that the alternative road will also become jammed," he explained.
The crisis led to unusually high crowding on intercity trains between Pune and Mumbai, including popular services like the Deccan Queen, Deccan Express, Pragati Express, and Intercity Express, as commuters sought rail alternatives.
BPCL's Statement and Investigation
BPCL officials provided insights into the logistical and technical challenges faced during the operation. They noted that the recovery van could not be dispatched immediately as it was stationed at the Kochi refinery. A senior BPCL official stated, "The expert team on site could not arrest the minor leakages in the tanker. Therefore, the decision was made to de-contain the gas into other tankers to prevent any escalation of risk."
The official further clarified that the tanker had undergone all mandatory checks before being inducted for service and was deemed suitable for carrying the gas. "The leakage occurred solely due to the accident, not because of any apparent design flaw. Nevertheless, this aspect will be thoroughly examined as part of the ongoing investigation," the official assured.
Legal Proceedings Initiated
Legal action has been initiated following the accident. An FIR has been registered against the tanker driver, identified as Ratan Singh Uday Narayan (44) from Uttar Pradesh, who sustained minor injuries in the incident. He has been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act for alleged rash and negligent driving.
Raigad Superintendent of Police Aanchal Dalal commented on the priorities, saying, "Our immediate focus remains on the rescue and containment operation. Appropriate legal action, as warranted, will be decided upon and pursued at a later stage." The incident underscores the critical need for stringent safety protocols on one of India's busiest expressways, which serves as a vital economic and social artery connecting two major metropolitan hubs.
