A massive traffic jam on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway near Vasai in Maharashtra’s Palghar district stranded more than 500 students and commuters for nearly 12 hours from Tuesday evening to early Wednesday morning.
Twelve buses carrying students from Classes 5 to 10 and college students from Thane and Mumbai were stuck in a gridlock stretching several kilometres.
The students, returning from a school picnic near Virar, endured long hours without food or water. Local social organisations helped with water and biscuits while police worked to clear the congestion, which was caused by diversion of heavy vehicles due to road repair work on the Ghodbunder highway.
Students Endure Hunger and Fatigue
The children, many visibly exhausted and anxious, were crammed in buses that barely moved during the prolonged gridlock starting around 5:30 pm on Tuesday. Parents waited anxiously throughout the night for updates on their children’s safety.
Local activists who reached the scene described heartbreaking scenes of children crying due to hunger and fatigue. One said, “It was distressing to see their suffering caused by poor traffic management.” Some buses took detours, while others inched forward slowly. The last buses reached destinations around 6 am the following day.
Traffic Jam Triggered by Diversions
Officials confirmed the massive traffic jam was triggered by the diversion of heavy vehicles from Ghodbunder highway in Thane undergoing repair. This shifted excessive traffic onto the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, overwhelming the stretch near Vasai.
The congestion spanned several kilometres, severely restricting vehicle movement. A police official from Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar control room said the jam was being gradually cleared, though traffic remained sluggish well into early Wednesday.
Community Criticism and Calls for Action
Frustrated parents and local residents blamed poor planning and a lack of coordination among authorities for the ordeal. “Our children were left helpless for hours with no police presence, no information, and no system in place,” said one parent.
Residents have demanded immediate corrective measures from the traffic and civic authorities to prevent such incidents, especially when road repair and vehicle diversions are planned.
The incident highlights the urgent need for better traffic management and proactive communication to ensure commuter safety, particularly for vulnerable groups like schoolchildren.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This frustrating incident exposes the human cost of poor traffic coordination and inadequate contingency planning on busy highways.
The Logical Indian urges authorities to prioritise safety, transparent communication, and timely interventions during roadwork projects. When hundreds of children are left stranded without basic needs, it signals a failure in systems that must be addressed.
