04 February,2026 09:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Traffic diversions were implemented under the supervision of the Highway Security Patrol team, officials said. PIC/ PTI
The traffic on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway was diverted after a highly inflammable gas leak following an accident involving a tanker was reported along the route near Adoshi tunnel at the Borghat stretch, officials said.
Considering the volatile nature of the gas, traffic on the Mumbai-bound corridor was stopped as a precautionary measure by the Highway Security Police.
According to the officials, to manage and prevent congestion, authorities later opened one lane of the Pune-bound corridor for vehicles heading towards Mumbai around 7.30 pm, while vehicles travelling towards Pune were allowed to use the remaining two lanes after shifting the median barrier.
Light vehicles heading towards Mumbai were diverted at km 42/400, near Magic Point, via the old Khopoli highway.
Traffic diversions were implemented under the supervision of the Highway Security Patrol team, officials said.
A chemical gas tanker heading from Pune to Mumbai overturned on the Mumbai-bound carriageway of the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway on Tuesday evening, forcing authorities to halt traffic for hours due to a hazardous gas leak.
The accident occurred around 5 pm on Tuesday, near the Adoshi tunnel in the Borghat stretch.
The officials said the tanker was carrying propylene gas, a highly inflammable substance. Following the mishap, the tanker sustained damage at three valve points, leading to gas leakage.
After receiving alerts from patrolling teams, emergency response resources, including quick response vehicles, ambulances, fire-fighting equipment, Delta Force personnel and heavy machinery, were immediately deployed at the site.
Additional fire tenders from Tata Steel and the Khopoli Municipal Council were also pressed into service.
Bal Malkit Singh, advisor and former president of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), on Wednesday criticised authorities over the prolonged disruption caused by the gas tanker accident on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
Singh said the incident, which has persisted for nearly 26 hours, exposed a lack of preparedness in handling such emergencies. "Normalcy has still not been restored, causing severe inconvenience to commuters and massive losses to the transport industry," he said.
He added that the movement of perishable goods, raw materials, and finished products has been badly affected, disrupting time-bound deliveries and resulting in substantial financial losses for industries. Transport operators and drivers are facing undue hardship, including financial losses due to prolonged detention of vehicles.
"Despite paying heavy toll charges and multiple taxes, the transport fraternity continues to suffer due to inadequate infrastructure and poor emergency response mechanisms," Singh said, urging the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and other concerned agencies to strengthen infrastructure and contingency planning to ensure such situations are handled efficiently in the future.
