A nightmare traffic jam stretching 20 kilometers continues to strangle the Khandala Ghat section of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, even more than 24 hours after a gas tanker overturned and began leaking highly flammable propylene gas. Hundreds of commuters—including women and children—remain stranded, facing shortages of food, water, and access to toilet facilities.Authorities have warned that it will take several more hours to safely clear the road.
NDTV visited the site, where a long line of vehicles—ranging from heavy commercial trucks to passenger cars—stretched for 20 km.The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has already canceled 139 bus services, including 37 E-Shivneri routes, due to the severe traffic disruption.NCP MP Sunil Tatkare emphasized that public safety is paramount. In a video statement, he said, “The gas tanker that overturned posed a significant threat to lives, so traffic was stopped as a precaution. People should understand this is a safety measure, not just a delay.”Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF),
State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) are actively managing the situation. The highway traffic police have urged motorists to avoid the expressway until traffic normalizes.The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, India’s first six-lane wide concrete, access-controlled highway, spans 94.5 km connecting Mumbai, Raigad, Navi Mumbai, and Pune. The accident occurred near the Adoshi tunnel in Raigad district around 5 pm on Tuesday. Officials say the tanker, allegedly speeding downhill, lost control and overturned, causing the propylene gas leak and triggering panic among motorists.Traffic toward Mumbai was immediately halted, and vehicles were diverted for 2 km onto the Pune-bound side.
However, the persistent gas leak prevented normal flow, resulting in long queues even for those heading toward Pune.Stranded motorists expressed frustration and desperation. One Twitter user, VyasKarn, wrote, “People have been stuck and desperately waiting for help. Please do something.” An MSRTC bus conductor reported passengers had been stranded since midnight without food, water, or toilet access.Police have managed to reroute some vehicles via the old Mumbai-Pune highway, but road clearance efforts are expected to continue late into the night.
