‘Hell-hole highway’: Motorists fume as Mumbai–Pune Expressway jam drags past 24 hours

A drone visual of the traffic jam on Mumbai-Pune Expressway. (News18)

• Gas tanker overturns on Mumbai-Pune Expressway, causing 24-hour traffic jam
• Thousands stranded for over 20 hours, with 163 state buses stuck in the jam
• Commuters report lack of food, water, and basic facilities during the gridlock

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Vehicular movement on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway remained severely disrupted for nearly 24 hours after a gas tanker overturned near the Adoshi tunnel in Raigad district on Tuesday evening, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and triggering sharp reactions from political leaders and the public.

Traffic was halted on stretches of one of the country’s busiest highways as authorities began safety operations after the tanker accident. Despite continuous efforts, the situation remained unresolved for hours, with passengers stuck for more than 20 hours, leading to mounting inconvenience and long queues of vehicles.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: A chemical tanker overturned on the Mumbai-Pune highway at Khandala Ghat; traffic not fully restored even after 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/AX2LfHwqyo

— ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2026

Drone visuals from the site showed traffic stretching up to 12 km, with hundreds of cars, buses and trucks lined up as officials attempted to clear the overturned tanker.

The State Highway Police, in an advisory issued on Wednesday morning, urged commuters to avoid the Lonavala–Khandala ghat section entirely.

Political leaders slam handling of crisis

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticised the government’s response in a post on X, saying, “It’s beyond absurd that the Government can’t intervene and help people stuck on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway for over 20 hours. For all the talk of development and good governance, a basic intervention could have been reached out to the people and offered food/ water/ toilets at certain distances from where they’re stuck.”

It’s beyond absurd that the Government can’t intervene and help people stuck on the Mumbai- Pune Expressway for over 20 hours. For all the talk of development and good governance, a basic intervention could have helped by reaching out to the people and offering food/ water/… — Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) February 4, 2026

He also questioned toll operators, adding, “Shouldn’t the toll operators be made to pay for these services that they ‘maintain’ and ‘operate’ the highways for?”

Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad also voiced concern, stating, “A 20+ hour traffic jam on Mumbai Pune Highway. As per the government’s own estimates, apart from private vehicles, 163 state transport buses have also been stuck. Think of the plight of women and children who have been stuck like this for hours.” She further said deteriorating traffic management and emergency response were “costing not just time but lives.”

A 20+ hour traffic jam on Mumbai Pune Highway. As per the government's own estimates apart from private vehicles 163 state transport buses have also been stuck. Think of the plight of women and children who have been stuck like this for hours. Last year we had seen a massive… pic.twitter.com/izXGLqFMHs — Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) February 4, 2026

Commuters report a lack of facilities

As the gridlock continued, frustrated commuters shared their ordeal online, complaining about the absence of basic amenities. “There is no arrangement here for food and water. Whatever water we had, we gave to the passengers. People are thirsty. The tanker overturned yesterday, and no one is taking responsibility,” said Arbaaz, a stranded traveller.

Another user wrote on social media, “12–13 hours stranded on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway. ZERO information. ZERO facilities. No public announcement. No guidance to avoid travel or take a U-turn. IRB continued collecting tolls while passengers were left stranded for hours without water, toilets, or medical aid.”

Accident details and rescue operations

According to reports, the accident occurred around 6.15 pm on Tuesday when the tanker, carrying highly flammable propylene gas, lost control on a slope near the tunnel and overturned.

Considering the risk of leakage and possible sparks, police and emergency teams immediately cordoned off the area and began safety measures.

Videos from the spot showed gas leaking from the tanker while heavy vehicles moved slowly on the opposite carriageway.

Traffic towards Mumbai was temporarily shut to allow rescue and containment operations. Multiple emergency units, along with teams from the National Disaster Response Force, remained deployed at the site.

In a statement, the Maharashtra Directorate General of Information and Public Relations said 163 Maharashtra State Transport buses were stuck in the jam, and 139 bus trips across divisions had been cancelled. The department added that passenger safety was being given top priority and services would be gradually restored once traffic normalises.