Weekend gridlock hits with heavy traffic at Mumbai-Pune E-way

The jammed Mumbai-Pune Expressway on Friday morning, prior to opening of the missing link. Pic/Satej Shinde

Amid the buzz around the inauguration of the Missing Link Project, major traffic snarls were witnessed along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway on Friday, with massive congestion reported in the Khandala Ghat section. NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule, who was among those stuck in traffic, shared a video highlighting the gridlock.

The chaos unfolded along the ghat stretch, where vehicles were lined up bumper-to-bumper for several kilometres, turning a routine intercity commute into a prolonged ordeal. The situation coincided with a long weekend due to Maharashtra Day and Labour Day, triggering a surge of travellers heading from Mumbai towards Pune, Lonavala, and nearby towns. Several commuters took to social media platforms to express frustration over the mismanagement, sharing visuals of the jam and complaining about inaccurate traffic updates on navigation apps.

Hours to cover 30-km stretch

Traffic began building up early in the morning and soon reached a near standstill. Commuters reported delays of three to five hours, with some taking nearly two-and-a-half hours to cover a 30-km stretch that typically requires far less time.

MP stuck in jam

MP Supriya Sule, travelling from Mumbai to Pune, remained stuck for nearly two to three hours. In her video message, she said commuters - including families, children and elderly passengers - were stranded without clarity on when the traffic would ease. The congestion also disrupted Sule's official schedule, as she was unable to reach Pune in time to hoist the flag at her party office.

Reason for congestion

The congestion was attributed to multiple factors, including the long weekend rush, increased tourist movement, VIP movements linked to the inauguration, narrow ghat sections, vehicle breakdowns, and indiscipline among some motorists attempting to cut lanes.

Key locations blocked

Vehicles were stranded in long queues stretching across key points, including the Khed Shivapur Toll Plaza, the New Katraj Tunnel, Lonavala Ghat, Khandala Tunnel and the Amrutanjan Bridge to Khalapur Toll Naka stretch. In several stretches, gridlock-like conditions prevailed, with vehicles remaining stationary for extended periods.

5
No. of hours some commuters were stuck in traffic jam

CMSpeak

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said such situations would be avoided in the future, assuring that the Missing Link Project is expected to significantly ease traffic and reduce travel time once fully operational.

LocalSpeak

Vivek Velankar, president, Sajag Nagrik Manch, Pune
‘The ceremony could have been scheduled earlier to minimise disruption, especially during a peak travel period. The 13.5-km project took over six years to complete, which is unfortunate.'

OfficialSpeak

‘No emergencies reported'
Sachin Hire, senior police inspector, Khopoli
‘The traffic eased immediately after the opening of the missing link. After the inauguration, it was opened to the public in the afternoon. No emergencies were reported during the traffic snarls.'

Expertspeak

‘Lack of discipline'
Dr Kumar Rakshe, emergency medical services (EMS) and aviation medicine expert
‘An emergency lane is available along the entire expressway. People need to be aware and disciplined enough to keep it free. Enforcement agencies should ensure it always remains open for EMS vehicles. Penalties for violations should be stricter.'