Brake failure triggers gridlock on expressway

Pune: An overturned truck near the Amrutanjan Bridge on Mumbai–Pune Expressway triggered significant traffic congestion on Friday morning, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded.The accident occurred in the Borghat section when a truck carrying fish from Mumbai to Pune lost control on an uphill turn. "Preliminary investigation suggests the vehicle's brakes failed. The truck overturned, blocking the path. IRB patrolling teams and the Highway Traffic Police (HSP) reached the spot promptly and used a crane to clear the wreckage. Traffic was briefly halted for about 20 to 30 minutes during the operation," said SP Vikrant Deshmukh, Highway Safety Patrol, Pune division. He added that both the driver and the cleaner escaped without injuries.Despite official reports of a brief halt, commuters claimed the impact lasted much longer. Many took to social media to vent their frustration, reporting delays of over 90 minutes.A commuter named Andy posted on X (formerly Twitter) around 8.30 am. "Heavy traffic congestion on Pune-Mumbai Expressway. We have been stuck for the last hour and a half." Another traveller, Ashok Kumar Joshi, described the situation as "pathetic," noting that frequent jams were particularly hard on senior citizens who were stuck on buses delayed by over two hours without access to facilities.Neeraj Kolge, who frequently travels between the two cities, said congestion in the ghat section is now a routine affair."Whether it's an accident, a vehicle breakdown, or the weekend rush, everyone who travels this route now anticipates a jam.