Mumbai-Pune Expressway Traffic Disrupted for Over 30 Hours After Gas Tanker Overturn

Traffic on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway was severely disrupted for over 30 hours after a gas tanker carrying highly flammable propylene overturned near the Adoshi tunnel in the Khandala Ghat section. The accident caused a major gas leak, prompting authorities to shut down the Mumbai-bound carriageway and divert traffic, resulting in massive congestion with vehicle queues stretching up to 30 km. Thousands of commuters, including women and children, were stranded without access to food, water, or toilet facilities. Emergency teams from NDRF, SDRF, and BPCL worked overnight to transfer the gas and remove the tanker, restoring traffic early Thursday morning. The incident sparked criticism over emergency preparedness and toll collection during the crisis. Industrialist Sudhir Mehta, stranded for eight hours, highlighted the need for emergency exits and helipads along the expressway to improve response in future incidents. Authorities have initiated inquiries and directed plans to enhance traffic management and safety on the corridor.