24 hours and counting: Mumbai–Pune Expressway chaos continues, commuters furious over toll charges

Traffic on the Pune–Mumbai Expressway remained suspended even after 24 hours on Wednesday following an accident involving a propylene gas tanker near the Adoshi tunnel on the Mumbai-bound carriageway on Tuesday evening.

Several commuters took to social media to complain that they had been stuck in massive traffic jams for more than a day, even as toll continued to be collected despite the disruption.

Journalist Samrat Phadnis at 9.55 pm on Wednesday in a post on X said that the expressway remains blocked with only a single lane partially functional. Blaming poor crisis management by the road management company, he wrote, “Propylene gas tanker turned turtle yesterday afternoon. Worst crisis management from the road management company that collects toll."


Another user, Ravindra Ambekar, described being stranded for 12–13 hours without basic facilities or information. In a strongly worded post, he alleged that there were no public announcements, no guidance to avoid travel or take U-turns, and no response from helplines. “IRB continued collecting tolls while passengers were left stranded for hours without water, toilets, or medical aid. VVIP convoys got priority. Common citizens got chaos. This is not inconvenience, this is criminal mismanagement,” he wrote, demanding toll refunds and accountability.

A third commuter echoed similar frustration, questioning the authorities for continuing toll collection despite the crisis. “Pune–Mumbai Expressway blocked for nearly 24 hours due to gas leakage. No information. No crowd control. No help to reduce panic. But toll? Collected as usual,” the post read.

Earlier, the Highway Police had issued an advisory asking commuters to completely avoid the Lonavala–Khandala ghat section and instead use alternate routes via Tamhini Ghat, Malshej Ghat, or the Bhimashankar–Manchar route. However, officials cautioned that these detours could increase travel time by three to five hours. Heavy vehicles were advised to park at the nearest available lay-bys or food malls until the gas leak from the overturned tanker is fully neutralised.

The advisory also urged passengers not travelling in private vehicles to opt for train services such as the Intercity Express, Deccan Queen, or Sinhagad Express, noting that rail operations remain unaffected.

The tanker carrying propylene gas overturned late on Tuesday evening, disrupting traffic on the Mumbai-bound lane. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and other agencies were rushed to the site to contain the leak.

Highway SP Tanaji Chikhale told The Times of India that rescue teams were still working to stop the gas leakage. “It may take at least two more hours to fully control the leak. Once that is done, the tanker will be removed and the Mumbai-bound lane will be opened for traffic,” he said.

He added that one of the three lanes on the Pune-bound carriageway is currently being used to divert stranded vehicles heading towards Mumbai, while commuters have been advised to avoid the stretch until traffic normalises. Following the accident, vehicles were queued for several kilometres towards Pune, leaving many travellers stranded for over 16 hours.