Mumbai-Pune Expressway hit by fresh disruption after propylene tanker accident

Representational Image. File Pic/PTI

Traffic movement on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway was briefly disrupted on Monday morning after a propylene gas tanker crashed into a roadside barrier near the Amrutanjan Bridge.

According to Highway Police, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle - suspected to be due to brake failure-while descending a slope, causing the tanker to veer off course and collide with the crash barrier before coming to a halt. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported and there was no gas leakage, averting a potentially serious situation.

Police and traffic officials rushed to the spot and promptly shifted the tanker to clear the affected stretch. Though congestion was reported across three lanes, the situation was brought under control within approximately 30 minutes.

The incident occurred around 10:30 am on the Mumbai-bound carriageway, leading to temporary disruption in traffic flow.

Sources from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) told Mid-Day that highway police and safety patrol teams responded immediately after receiving the alert, ensuring swift clearance of the road.

The incident comes close on the heels of a major disruption earlier this month, when an overturned propylene tanker near the Adoshi tunnel in the Khandala ghat led to a 32-hour shutdown of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The operation to safely transfer the gas and remove the tanker took over a day, leaving commuters stranded and marking one of the longest traffic snarls in the history of the 94.5-km corridor.

33-hour Mumbai-Pune Expressway disruption: 1 lakh motorists to get Rs 5.16 cr toll refund, says MSRDC

Meanwhile, more than one lakh motorists who were caught up in a massive traffic gridlock on Mumbai-Pune Expressway earlier this month after a gas tanker mishap will get toll refund cumulatively valued at Rs 5.16 crore, a senior Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation official said on Sunday.

On February 3, a gas tanker turned turtle on the Khopoli stretch of the Expressway, leading to a 33-hour disruption which saw traffic come to a standstill for several kilometres, leaving many motorists and passengers facing shortage of water, food and other basic amenities.

Following the accident, the administration had ordered an immediate suspension of toll collection. However, by then, toll charges had already been deducted from the FASTag accounts of several motorists.