Mumbai–Pune Expressway Traffic Diverted After Accident
All vehicles on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway were diverted to the old Mumbai–Pune Highway after a gas tanker overturned in the Khandala Ghat section, bringing expressway movement to a complete standstill overnight.
Over 12 Hours of Severe Congestion
Traffic chaos persisted for more than 12 hours after the accident, with hundreds of vehicles stranded on both carriageways, causing massive congestion and paralysing movement through the ghat section
Passengers Stranded Without Basic Facilities
Passengers, including women and children, remained stuck near the accident site for several hours without access to food, drinking water, or toilet facilities, highlighting the severe hardship caused by prolonged traffic blockage.
Gas Tanker Overturned Near Adoshi Tunnel
The accident occurred around 5 pm on 3rd of January 2025 near the Adoshi tunnel in Raigad district, where the tanker allegedly lost control due to speed and slope before overturning on the Mumbai-bound corridor.
Leak of Highly Flammable Propylene Gas
The tanker was carrying propylene gas, which began leaking soon after the accident, triggering panic among motorists and forcing authorities to take emergency safety measures to prevent fire or explosion risks.
Mumbai-Bound Carriageway Closed for Safety
As a precautionary step, traffic towards Mumbai was immediately closed to ensure commuter safety, with authorities citing continuous gas leakage as the primary reason for restricting vehicle movement in the affected stretch.
Temporary Diversion to Pune-Bound Lane Failed
Mumbai-bound traffic was diverted onto the Pune-bound carriageway for nearly two kilometres, but continuous gas leakage prevented restoration of normal movement, resulting in long queues and crawling traffic in both directions.
MSRTC Bus Passengers Stuck for Hours
An MSRTC bus conductor reported that the bus remained stationary for over six hours near the site, leaving passengers stranded late at night without essential amenities, reflecting the scale of disruption faced by public transport users.
Advisory Issued to Avoid Expressway Travel
Highway traffic police advised motorists to avoid the Mumbai–Pune Expressway until regular traffic movement is restored, while multiple agencies continued working on a war footing to control the gas leak and clear the overturned tanker.
Commuters Express Anger on Social Media
Commuters expressed anger on social media, describing the expressway as a “parking lot.” Many shared overnight travel experiences and urged others to avoid travel due to severe delays near Lonavala and Khandala.t