Vehicular movement on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway came to a standstill on the night of Tuesday, 3 February, following the overturning of a gas tanker. The incident led to a traffic jam that lasted for more than 12 hours, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded overnight and causing significant inconvenience to countless passengers.

The expressway, which is one of Maharashtra’s busiest roads, experienced severe congestion due to the accident, with vehicles stalled in both directions for several kilometres. Efforts to clear the tanker and restore traffic flow extended well into Wednesday morning.

Accident Results in Extensive Traffic Disruption

The gas tanker overturned late on Tuesday, blocking a major portion of the carriageway. Local authorities initiated clearance operations immediately, but the hazardous nature of the cargo delayed the process. Safety precautions had to be followed meticulously before moving the vehicle, contributing to the extended duration of the jam.

Emergency teams, including police personnel and highway authorities, were deployed to the scene to manage the traffic and ensure safety. The expressway witnessed rows of immobilised vehicles, with motorists, including families and long-distance travellers, forced to wait for several hours during the night.

Advisory Issued to Avoid the Expressway

In light of the situation, the police advised people to refrain from using the Mumbai-Pune Expressway until normal traffic conditions were restored. Travellers heading between the two cities were encouraged to opt for alternative routes or delay their journey to avoid getting caught in the congestion.

Traffic updates were issued throughout the night and early morning to inform commuters of the conditions and assist in detour navigation. Authorities coordinated with local transport services to provide relief to stranded passengers where possible.

Gradual Restoration of Traffic Flow

By Wednesday late morning, movement on the expressway began to resume gradually as the overturned tanker was removed and barriers were cleared. However, residual congestion continued for several hours due to the backlog of vehicles waiting to pass.

Officials on-site continued to monitor traffic density and worked towards complete normalisation of the route. Additional personnel were deployed to manage the situation and prevent further disruption.

The cause of the tanker overturning is under examination, and necessary steps are being considered to avoid similar incidents in the future.

The Mumbai-Pune Expressway serves as a crucial link between two major urban centres and witnesses heavy traffic throughout the day. Authorities reiterated the importance of following safety guidelines and exercising caution while travelling, especially during night hours.

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