Mumbai–Pune Expressway Traffic Jam Update: Thousands Stuck; Commuters Slam Toll Collection Amid Chaos

A propylene tanker overturning near the Adoshi tunnel on the Mumbai‑bound carriageway of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway triggered a major traffic standstill that left thousands of vehicles stranded for more than 12 hours from Tuesday evening, officials and commuters said.

Pune Police told IANS that Mumbai‑bound traffic was halted after the tanker overturned and began leaking gas. "Mumbai‑bound traffic on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway has been halted for over 12 hours near Adoshi Tunnel after a propylene gas tanker overturned around 6:15 pm. Emergency teams are working to contain the gas leak. No injuries have been reported, but long traffic jams persist, and motorists are advised to take alternate routes," the police statement said.

Earlier local reports placed the initial accident time at about 4:45 pm, a discrepancy officials said was due to evolving information in the immediate aftermath.

The hazardous nature of propylene, a highly flammable and heavier‑than‑air gas, prompted authorities to impose strict safety measures. Traffic from Pune towards Mumbai was stopped as a precaution soon after the incident; although vehicles heading towards Pune were initially permitted to move, congestion worsened and officials ultimately suspended movement in both directions to secure the scene.

By late evening the expressway resembled a long parking lot, with vehicles bumper to bumper for kilometres. Commuters shared images and videos on social media showing long queues and people resting beside their cars.

One traveller on X described the scene as "historic traffic," saying people were sleeping in their vehicles as the entire expressway remained shut. Another commuter recounted spending seven hours on the expressway before exiting to stay overnight in Lonavala, noting that tolls were still collected on exit.

In a post on X, a traveller said, "Spent 7 hours on Pune Mumbai Expressway yesterday stuck in the jam. Exited to stay at Lonavala overnight. The toll booth did charge the toll on exit😀 the tanker still stuck there in the morning. Thousands of vehicle stuck.

"Looting continues even as we stuck in traffic chaos for hours. Is it time to collect toll fees?" a user wrote on social media site.

State transport and private bus passengers reported being caught unaware when they began their journeys and only learned of the severity of the situation through social media updates. Several families, including a woman travelling with two children, posted pleas for assistance, citing lack of water, washroom access and official support.

Frustration mounted as some road users said police on the ground had limited information about the clearance timeline. Emergency services, traffic police and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed to the site. Officials said the clearance operation was complicated by the inflammable and heavy nature of the leaked gas, which required specialist containment and recovery procedures.

An upset commuter says, "Stranded on Mumbai-Pune Expressway due to a CNG truck accident. I'm a lady travelling with two kids-no water, no washroom access, no assistance, traffic not moving at all. Shocked by the careless and inhuman handling. Where are the highway authorities & gatekeepers?"

Another user commented, "It's been 15+ hours and the traffic on Mumbai-Pune expressway has not been cleared. Police on road have no information on what is happening at the accident site. Is this what we call development? @Dev_Fadnavis @nitin_gadkari @CMOMaharashtra @narendramodi @PMOIndia."

Highway Safety Patrol personnel said no vehicle movement could be permitted near the accident site for safety reasons and that operations to clear the tanker and secure the area were expected to continue into the early hours of Wednesday.

The traffic jam reportedly extended up to 25 km in stretches near Khopoli, compounding the ordeal for commuters who in some cases spent the entire night stranded. Authorities advised motorists to avoid the expressway and the old highway until the situation was fully resolved and normal traffic flow restored.