By Admin 
Traffic has finally been completely restored on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway after 32 hours. The crashed propylene gas tanker was removed from the highway, after which vehicular movement could resume normally. However, this long jam has once again raised big questions on the preparation of the administration, emergency arrangements and facilities provided in lieu of toll.
A tanker overturned on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway at around 5 pm on Tuesday (February 3). The tanker was filled with propylene gas, which is a highly flammable chemical. Immediately after the accident, the administration stopped traffic on the expressway in view of security. Initially this decision was considered right from the safety of passengers, but gradually the jam stretched for 32 hours.
During this period thousands of vehicles remained stranded on the highway. Many passengers remained sitting in the trains all night, children, elderly and women had to face the most trouble. There was also a severe shortage of basic facilities like food and toilets.
Trouble continued even after tanker was removed
After removing the tanker, it was expected that the traffic would become normal immediately, but this did not happen. Traffic became smooth beyond Khandala, but a truck broke down near Malawali. At the same time, in Kamshet area, drivers of many heavy vehicles slept in the vehicles, due to which long queues were formed.
The Highway Police itself had to go and wake up the sleeping drivers, only then the vehicles could move forward. Traffic continued near Adoshi tunnel, but passengers had to wait for a long time.
The route to Mumbai opened after 32 hours
After a long wait of about 32 hours, the road towards Mumbai was opened for traffic. Gradually the jam reduced and the stranded vehicles started moving forward. The administration says that traffic will become completely normal in the next few days.
However, passengers say that the road being closed for so long and then getting jammed due to small reasons, clearly shows the weaknesses of the system.
Raj Thackeray’s sharp question
Raj Thackeray gave a sharp reaction on this entire matter on social media platform X. He said that the Mumbai-Pune Expressway remained closed for about 32 hours and the passengers had to face a lot of trouble. After this, as usual, only investigation was ordered by the government.
Raj Thackeray raised the question whether the administration has any concrete action plan to deal with such incidents? He said that it has been 24 years since this expressway was built with the inspiration of late Balasaheb Thackeray, but neither serious preparations were made for possible disasters nor was constant attention given to the quality of the road.
He also said that if any work has been done promptly during this period, it is toll collection. The question is, what facilities are the passengers getting in exchange for the toll?
demand for toll refund
Raj Thackeray demanded that the amount should be returned to the passengers from whom toll was collected during this period. He said that instead of making a show of investigations, the government should make a concrete action plan, so that immediate and effective action can be taken on such incidents in future.
He also said that the Mumbai-Pune high-speed train has been announced, but till it becomes a reality, the existing road travel should be streamlined. As of today, no one can assure how much time it will take to reach Pune from Mumbai.
Minister Girish Mahajan’s clarification
On the matter, Maharashtra Government Minister Girish Mahajan said that the propylene chemical filled in the tanker was highly flammable. It was not possible to remove it immediately after the accident, because even the slightest spark could cause a big explosion.
He told that the crane was sent immediately, but due to the chemicals, it was risky to work. BPCL’s expert team was called to the spot, as it is the only one capable of handling this type of chemical. According to him, the work was done keeping safety in mind and traffic was started from one side.
This entire incident has once again shown how fragile the traffic system is between big cities like Mumbai and Pune. Passengers say that if any accident happens on the expressway, they can remain stranded not for hours but for days.
Now the question is whether the government and administration will learn any lesson from this incident, or everything will continue like this till the next big problem. The public wants not just investigation, but concrete solutions and assurance that their journey can be completed safely and on time.