03 July,2026 10:25 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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More than 15 vehicles were involved in a series of accidents on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway in Maharashtra's Palghar district after a massive pothole on a flyover allegedly caused multiple tyre bursts within minutes, raising fresh concerns over the condition of the busy highway.
The incident took place on a flyover near the Mahalakshmi Temple in Dahanu taluka on the carriageway from Gujarat towards Mumbai. According to reports, several vehicles sustained tyre damage after hitting a deep pothole on the road, leading to multiple collisions and near-miss incidents over a span of 10 to 12 minutes.
Motorists travelling on the stretch said the pothole posed a serious hazard, particularly for vehicles moving at high speed. Several drivers reportedly lost control of their vehicles after their tyres burst on impact with the damaged section of the road. Although numerous vehicles were damaged, no serious injuries have been reported so far.
Drivers who witnessed the incident claimed that the road surface on the flyover had deteriorated significantly. They alleged that iron reinforcement bars were protruding through the damaged concrete, increasing the risk of tyre damage and accidents.
The incident has sparked criticism from commuters, many of whom questioned the quality of construction and maintenance work carried out on the highway. Regular users of the Mumbai-Gujarat corridor said the deteriorating condition of the road has become a major safety concern, particularly during the monsoon season when potholes become difficult to spot.
The highway serves as one of the busiest road links connecting Mumbai with Gujarat and carries a high volume of passenger and commercial traffic every day.
The incident has also drawn attention to the highway's recent upgrade work. According to reports, around Rs 620 crore was spent last year on the white topping project along sections of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway. Separate contractors were reportedly appointed for the construction and maintenance of flyovers and bridges on the route.
White topping is a road rehabilitation method in which a concrete layer is laid over an existing asphalt surface to improve durability and extend the lifespan of the roadway. However, the condition of the highway following the arrival of the monsoon has prompted questions about the quality of execution and ongoing maintenance.
Commuters said the first spell of heavy rain appears to have exposed significant defects in the road surface, resulting in hazardous driving conditions on an important national highway.
Following the incident, motorists and local residents have demanded a thorough investigation into the condition of the highway and the quality of work carried out under the upgrade project. They have also called for accountability from the contractors responsible for construction and maintenance, as well as the authorities overseeing the project.
Officials had not issued a detailed statement on the incident at the time of publication. Meanwhile, commuters have urged authorities to carry out immediate repairs to prevent further accidents and ensure the safety of motorists using the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway.
