A major traffic disruption has paralyzed the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, one of India's busiest highways, after a gas tanker overturned near the Adoshi tunnel in the Khandala Ghat section on Tuesday evening. The incident, which occurred around 6:15 PM on February 3, 2026, has led to severe traffic congestion, stranding thousands of commuters for over 12 hours.
The tanker was carrying highly flammable propylene gas, prompting authorities to immediately halt traffic in both directions as a safety measure. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) teams have been deployed to manage the situation and contain the gas leak.
As of Wednesday, February 4, 2026, efforts are still underway to control the gas leakage and safely remove the tanker. While one lane towards Mumbai was temporarily reopened after midnight, traffic continues to move slowly due to the heavy backlog. Authorities estimate that normal traffic flow may not resume until late Wednesday evening. Experts have advised halting traffic movement for about 5 km from the accident site while the operation is underway. So far, only 50 per cent of the gas has been released, and the process to expedite the removal of the remaining gas was underway with the help of experts, but it will take some time.
The incident has left commuters stranded without access to basic necessities like food, water, and toilet facilities. Social media is flooded with complaints about the lack of assistance and poor management, with many questioning the continued collection of toll fees despite the disruption. Some commuters have reported being stuck for as long as 14 to 18 hours. The traffic jam extended up to 25 km near Khopoli.
The Maharashtra Highway Traffic Police have advised motorists to avoid the Mumbai-Pune Expressway until regular traffic movement is restored. Alternative routes via Tamhini Ghat and Malshej Ghat are suggested, though these routes may add 3 to 5 hours to travel time. The police have requested heavy vehicles to halt at the nearest safe parking zones or food malls until the situation normalizes.
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, officially known as the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway, is India's first six-lane wide concrete, access-controlled tolled expressway. It spans 94.5 km, connecting Mumbai and Pune, and is one of the country's busiest roads. The expressway was fully operationalized in April 2002.