Traffic on the crucial Mumbai-Pune Expressway remained paralysed for more than 30 hours after a tanker carrying highly flammable propylene gas overturned in the hilly Khandala Ghat section on Tuesday evening. The accident left thousands of commuters stranded in their vehicles, created massive tailbacks stretching over 20 kilometres, and brought movement on one of India’s busiest highways to a virtual standstill.
Emergency response teams, including personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, Maharashtra police, fire brigade units and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, worked continuously to contain the gas leak, transfer the hazardous cargo and remove the damaged tanker.
Authorities closed the Mumbai-bound carriageway as a safety measure to prevent any risk of explosion, diverting traffic to alternate routes, but congestion quickly spread across surrounding roads. Stranded travellers complained of severe hardship, including lack of food, water, medical assistance and toilet facilities.
After overnight operations, officials announced early on Thursday that the tanker had been safely cleared and traffic was gradually resuming, though heavy vehicle backlog and slow movement continued well into the day.
A Long Night on the Highway
The accident occurred around 5 pm on Tuesday near the Adoshi Tunnel in the Khandala Ghat stretch, an area known for its steep curves and challenging terrain. According to preliminary reports, the driver of the gas tanker lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn and begin leaking propylene gas a substance considered extremely combustible.
Fearing a potential disaster, authorities immediately shut down the affected section of the expressway and created a safety perimeter around the site. The decision, though necessary, triggered unprecedented traffic chaos. Cars, buses, trucks and ambulances were caught in an endless line of vehicles that barely moved for hours.
Commuters described spending entire nights inside their cars with children and elderly family members, unsure when help would arrive. “We have been stuck here since evening with no information and no basic facilities,” one frustrated passenger told local media.
To reduce pressure on the expressway, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation redirected traffic onto the old Mumbai-Pune Highway and even used portions of the opposite carriageway where possible. Officials temporarily suspended toll collection and deployed additional police teams to manage the situation.
MSRDC representatives confirmed that the delicate process of transferring the gas from the damaged tanker to another container took several hours because of the high risk involved. Only after experts declared the area safe could cranes be brought in to remove the overturned vehicle and reopen the lanes.
Ripple Effects and Larger Questions
The incident had consequences far beyond immediate traffic delays. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is a lifeline connecting two major metropolitan regions, and any disruption has a cascading effect on commuters, businesses and supply chains. Long-distance buses were cancelled or severely delayed, and essential goods such as vegetables, milk and fuel faced transport bottlenecks.
Several travellers missed flights, medical appointments and work commitments, highlighting how deeply dependent daily life has become on this single corridor. The chaos also revived long-standing concerns about infrastructure planning and emergency preparedness along the expressway.
Experts pointed out that despite the heavy movement of hazardous materials on this route, specialised HazMat response mechanisms remain inadequate. The Khandala Ghat section, with its sharp bends and heavy truck traffic, has witnessed numerous accidents in the past, yet preventive measures have been slow to materialise.
Many commuters questioned why better contingency plans, such as dedicated emergency lanes, rapid response units and traveller support facilities, were not in place. The episode also drew attention to the long-delayed “missing link” project intended to bypass the most dangerous parts of the ghat section.
While authorities eventually managed to restore order, the prolonged disruption served as a reminder of how vulnerable even critical national infrastructure can be in the face of a single mishap.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The 30-hour ordeal on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway is more than just a story about a road accident it is a reflection of how public systems respond to people in moments of crisis. Thousands of ordinary citizens were left stranded through no fault of their own, forced to endure uncertainty, discomfort and fear while waiting for a resolution.
While emergency teams and officials deserve recognition for safely handling a dangerous situation, the incident exposes gaps in planning, communication and compassion that cannot be ignored. The Logical Indian believes that infrastructure must be designed with human dignity at its core.
Efficient highways are important, but so are basic facilities for travellers, transparent updates from authorities and swift mechanisms to assist those in distress. Incidents involving hazardous materials require specialised preparedness, regular safety audits and coordinated action plans that place public welfare above procedural delays.
