32 hours, 30,000+ trucks, ambulances frozen, families sleeping in cars: Mega Pune-Mumbai Expressway jam explained

A gas tanker accident near the Adoshi Tunnel on the Mumbai-bound carriageway triggered a major traffic shutdown on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Thousands of travellers, including children, senior citizens and cancer patients heading to Mumbai for treatment, were stranded for hours. (Picture credit: Bandu Yewale)

BPCL officials said the tanker had passed mandatory safety checks and that the leakage occurred due to impact from the accident, not a design flaw, adding that the incident will be examined during the investigation.

Transporters reported losses of nearly Rs 20 crore due to the prolonged detention of around 30,000 heavy vehicles, severely disrupting cargo movement and causing financial strain on operators and drivers alike.

MSRTC cancelled 139 bus services, including 73 e-Shivneri buses, while 163 buses were stranded on the expressway, leaving passengers without clear information or alternative travel arrangements.

Children, senior citizens and cancer patients travelling to Mumbai for medical treatment were stuck on the expressway for long hours, forcing many to miss critical hospital appointments and endure severe discomfort without food or medical assistance.

State disaster management officials said BPCL delayed deploying its recovery van to plug the gas leak, as the vehicle was stationed in Kochi, leading to a critical delay in controlling the hazardous situation.

The area around the Adoshi Tunnel was treated as a high-risk zone due to the presence of leaked gas, prompting strict access control and complete suspension of traffic to avoid sparks or fire hazards.

Officials said the tanker was damaged at three valve points after overturning near the Adoshi Tunnel, leading to continuous gas leakage that could not be immediately sealed by rescue teams on site.

Several patients missed critical hospital appointments in Mumbai, including cancer patients headed to JJ Hospital. A Pune-Mumbai cab passenger missed a flight after being stuck at the same spot for nearly 15 hours.

Police opened one lane from the Pune carriageway by breaking the median to allow limited Mumbai-bound traffic. Authorities advised commuters to use Tamhini, Malshej or Bhimashankar routes until the gas leak was neutralized.