Traffic on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway came to a standstill overnight after a gas tanker overturned in the Khandala Ghat stretch, triggering a prolonged emergency response and leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded.
The accident happened near the Adoshi tunnel in Raigad district on Tuesday evening. Soon after the tanker overturned, gas began leaking from the vehicle, forcing authorities to slow down rescue and clearance work.
By early Wednesday, congestion had stretched across both carriageways, with motorists stuck for hours and movement reduced to a crawl.
Passengers reported long waits without access to food, drinking water, or toilet facilities as vehicles remained stationary near the site.
Gas leak delays restoration of traffic on Mumbai–Pune Expressway
According to the expressway control room, the tanker overturned at around 5 pm on Tuesday. It was allegedly moving at high speed when it lost control on the slope near the tunnel and toppled over.
To manage the situation, Mumbai-bound vehicles were diverted onto the Pune-bound carriageway for a two-kilometre stretch. However, the diversion offered little relief.
Officials said traffic could not be fully restored due to the continuous gas leak, leading to long queues and severe congestion for more than 12 hours, including on the Pune-bound side.
By Wednesday morning, traffic remained heavy, and commuters were advised to expect delays while authorities worked to secure the tanker and clear the roadway.