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Budget Session: Opposition planned to target treasury benches, says minister

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday alleged that Opposition members had a pre-planned strategy to attack members of the treasury benches in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, news agency PTI reported. The Lower House witnessed dramatic scenes as women Members of Parliament (MPs) from Opposition parties marched towards the treasury benches holding banners ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled reply to the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address. The prime minister was not present, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member PP Chaudhary was speaking when opposition MPs trooped into the Well of the House, protesting against the India-US trade deal and former Army chief M M Naravane’s unpublished book. Speaking to reporters in the Parliament House complex, Singh said, “As soon as it struck 5 o’clock, they came in. For the first time, it was seen that members of the opposition were standing in front of the treasury benches. So that was indeed the method to attack, nothing else. They kept it ready in advance.” He also accused the opposition of holding the Lok Sabha “hostage” for four days. Reacting to the allegations, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday accused the government of “hiding behind” Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and called claims of a plot to harm the prime minister an “absolute lie.” PM Modi skipped speech after Speaker warned of 'unexpected' act by Opposition Her remarks came after Speaker Birla said he had advised Modi not to attend the House following information that some Congress MPs might carry out an “unexpected act” near the prime minister’s seat. Lashing out at opposition members, Birla described their conduct in his office on Wednesday as inappropriate, calling it “like a black spot.” Priyanka Gandhi told reporters, “It is an absolute lie. There is no question of anybody raising hands on the prime minister, trying to hurt him or any such thing. The government is making the speaker ‘say all this’ because the prime minister did not have the guts to come to the House.” She urged the media to ask the prime minister, Home Minister Amit Shah and the government why the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha was not allowed to speak. (With PTI inputs)

05 February,2026 04:57 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Chinese kite strings cause fatal accidents. Representational Image

UP CM declares “Chinese Manja” deaths as murder, orders strict action

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday directed that deaths caused by “Chinese manja” (razor-sharp kite strings) be treated as murder. He also ordered the strictest possible action against those found guilty. The directive comes after a motorcyclist died in Lucknow allegedly after his throat was slit by a kite string, and follows a rise in similar incidents across the state capital. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said in a post on X that Adityanath has “taken serious note of fatalities linked to Chinese manja” and instructed authorities to act against its manufacture, sale, and use. “Taking cognisance of accidents caused by Chinese manja, the chief minister has directed strict enforcement against it and ordered a statewide campaign along with a high-level review. The deaths due to this should be treated under the category of murder,” the post added according to PTI. Adityanath stressed that the Uttar Pradesh government is fully committed to protecting public life. Fatal kite string incident in Lucknow On Wednesday, 34-year-old Syed Shoaib, a medical representative from Sitee Bihar in Dubagga, died after a Chinese manja allegedly cut his throat on the Haiderganj overbridge in Lucknow’s Bazarkhala area. Police said the kite string, sharp and strong, severed a major vein while Shoaib was riding his motorcycle. Losing control, he fell onto the road. Bystanders rushed him to a trauma centre in an e-rickshaw, but doctors declared him dead due to excessive blood loss. In another recent incident, metro services in Lucknow were disrupted when a kite string fell on a high-tension line, forcing trains to halt mid-route. Fatalities every year around the Nation Humans are also affected—45-year-old Bharat Kadam was seriously cut by manja on the Andheri flyover, though his windpipe was spared. The life of a five year old in Hyderabad was claimed due to nylon kite strings. They cause multiple deaths annually. In Gujarat, four people, including children, died during Uttarayan, and emergency cases rose 33 percent due to kite strings, falls, and electrocutions. Activists call for stricter enforcement and awareness campaigns. Animals not spared  During Makar Sankranti, Mumbai NGOs rescued over 50 injured birds. A sub-adult macaque was critically injured after getting entangled in a kite string near Sanjay Gandhi National Park on Jan 27. Multiple cases like these surface and despite bans, glass, Chinese, and nylon manja continue to be used, harming animals and humans, says Advocate Pawan Sharma of RAWW. (With PTI Inputs)

05 February,2026 04:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at the Parliament premises on Wednesday. PIC/PTI

Rahul Gandhi: PM Modi shed responsibility during 2020 India-China conflict

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday cited former Army chief MM Naravane’s “unreleased memoir” to claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi shed responsibility during the India-China conflict in 2020 and passed the buck on to Naravane. Gandhi held up Naravane’s unreleased memoir and said he would like the youngsters in India to know that this ‘book’ exists despite the government claiming otherwise. “Every youngster in India should read this book,” Gandhi said. He said Naravane has written the full account of what happened in Ladakh. “This book clearly states that when the Chinese army had entered our border, in such a critical moment, the army chief was made to wait. And when the time came to take a decision, the PM simply said — ‘jo aapko uchit lage woh kijiye’,” Gandhi said. “In other words, in the most serious crisis for the country’s security, Modi ji evaded political responsibility,” he said. The former Congress chief further said the the army chief has written in his book that he felt alone and was abandoned by the entire establishment. “This is what they are scared of me saying in Parliament,” Gandhi said. ‘Traitor vs desh ke dushman’ in Parl Ranveet Singh Bittu Gandhi on Wednesday exchanged barbs with former party colleague and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu in Parliament premises. In a video, Gandhi was heard calling Bittu “a traitor” and the minister retorting with “desh ke dushman” (enemy of the nation) jibe. The incident took place right outside Parliament’s Makar Dwar. As soon as Gandhi was about to speak, Bittu passed by, and remarked, “the suspended Congress MPs are sitting here as if they have won a war”. Gandhi hit back, “There is a traitor walking right by.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

05 February,2026 02:29 PM IST | New Delhi | Agencies
 Boeing 787 Dreamliner airplane during its delivery to Air India at the Boeing's North Charleston facility, in US in 2012. Pic/PTI

Air India Boeing 787 grounded: UK regulator seeks explanation

Britain’s aviation regulator has sought clarification from Air India after a Boeing 787 Dreamliner departed London despite concerns over a potentially faulty fuel switch and was later grounded in India for safety inspections, news agency ANI reported. According to Reuters, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) sent a letter to the airline on Tuesday, warning that regulatory action could be taken against Air India and its Boeing 787 fleet if a full response is not provided within a week. The development comes amid fleet-wide safety checks on Air India’s Boeing 787 aircraft. ANI sources said the airline completed inspections of fuel control switches on all its aircraft after a pilot flagged a possible defect earlier this week. An Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft was grounded on Monday after a pilot reported a potential issue with the fuel control switch. An Air India spokesperson confirmed the matter had been reported to India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). “We are aware that one of our pilots has reported a possible defect on the fuel control switch of a Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The aircraft has been grounded and the OEM is being involved to address the concern on a priority basis. The matter has been communicated to the DGCA. Fuel control switches on all Boeing 787 aircraft in our fleet were inspected following DGCA directives, and no issues were found. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority,” the spokesperson said. Following the incident, Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) President Captain CS Randhawa urged the DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to immediately investigate potential electrical faults in Boeing 787 aircraft, citing repeated incidents of uncommanded movement of fuel control switches. DGCA: Air India Boeing 787 fuel switch moved due to external force Captain Randhawa noted that this was the third known incident involving uncommanded fuel switch movement on a Boeing 787. On Tuesday, the DGCA issued a statement regarding the alleged malfunction of the fuel cut-off switch on Air India’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft VT-ANX, first identified by the crew on January 1. The regulator clarified that the switch had moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” due to external force applied in the wrong direction, rather than a technical fault. (With ANI inputs) 

05 February,2026 02:24 PM IST | London | mid-day online correspondent
GST collections remain robust amid economic activity. Representational Image

GST collections rise 6.2 percent to Rs 1,93,384 crore in January

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections reached Rs 1,93,384 crore in the month of January, up 6.2 per cent from the same month last year, official data showed on Sunday.  Gross GST collections were Rs 1,82,094 crore in January. On a year-to-date basis (April–January), gross collections jumped to Rs 18,43,423 crore, marking a strong 8.3 per cent growth (on-year), the data showed. Moreover, the net GST revenue for January stood at Rs 1,70,719 crore, up 7.6 per cent from the same month last year. Year-to-date net revenue reached Rs 15,95,752 crore, an annual growth of 6.8 per cent. Domestic GST collections rose 4.8 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1,41,132 crore. Import GST collections remained strong, with gross import revenue at Rs 52,253 crore, up 10.1 per cent from January 2025. The compensation cess, continuing as a transitional measure, dropped to Rs 5,768 crore, down from Rs 13,009 crore last year. Total refunds recorded at Rs 22,665 crore for January, a slight decline of 3.1 per cent year-on-year. State-wise post-settlement GST revenues showed a mixed picture. In December, GST collection recorded a 6.1 per cent increase to Rs 1,74,550 crore compared to Rs 1,64,556 crore in the same month of the previous year, reflecting the increase in economic activity during the month. Central GST collections rose to Rs 34,289 crore, state GST collections to Rs 41,368 crore, and integrated GST collections to Rs 98,894 crore. Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry issued a series of notifications that brought into effect the new tax regime for tobacco products from February 1. The ministry also released an FAQ list to explain that, under the Goods and Services Tax regime, the excise duty on cigarettes had so far been rendered a nominal amount of a "fraction of a paisa" per cigarette stick, and that the GST compensation cess rate on tobacco products had not been increased since it was implemented in July 2017.  This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

05 February,2026 02:12 PM IST | New Delhi | IANS
Three terrorists killed in Udhampur and Kishtwar. Representational Pic

Three terrorists neutralised in J&K operations ahead of Amit Shah’s visit

Security forces killed three terrorists in two separate counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. The encounters took place in the Udhampur and Kishtwar districts. The operations came just ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the region, prompting reactions from leaders across political parties. BJP MLA Shagun Parihar praised the security forces and called the operations a major achievement. She said, "This is a huge achievement for our security forces. We are getting this good news on the occassion of the Union Home Minister's visit. I congratulate the people of Jammu & Kashmir that these terrorists were neutralised," according to ANI. She also appreciated Amit Shah’s role, saying he has consistently worked with the interests and expectations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in mind and has remained closely connected to the region’s issues.  "This is great news. Whenever they have come, they have lived up to the expectations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He has always kept J&K close to his heart...," she told ANI. National Conference sees hope, raises key demands Tanvir Sadiq, Chief Spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, said the Home Minister’s visit brings renewed hope for the people. Speaking to ANI, he said, "Whenever the Home Minister visits, a ray of hope emerges that he will announce a good package. Most importantly, people want the restoration of statehood, which he promised us in Parliament. The time has come to fulfil that promise. Regarding the attacks happening on Kashmiris outside the state, the time has come to take serious notice of this and put an end to it." He basically stressed that residents are waiting for the restoration of statehood and also urged the central government to take serious action against attacks on Kashmiris in other parts of the country as it was time to put it to an end. Congress criticises Centre’s security claims Jammu and Kashmir Congress President and MLA Tariq Hamid Karra strongly criticised Amit Shah, accusing him of presenting an overly positive picture of the security situation. According to Karra, militant activities have been reported in several districts over the past few months, but this reality is not being shared with the public. He claimed that the Home Minister’s security reviews are routine exercises that ignore ground-level concerns. Karra also accused the BJP of putting party interests ahead of national interest and called for a review of its policies in the region. While he said the killing of terrorists is necessary and important, he questioned the government’s earlier claim that militancy had ended after 2019. The continued presence of terrorist activity, he said, raises serious questions about those assertions. (With ANI inputs)

05 February,2026 02:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Kiren Rijiju (L), J.P. Nadda (C), Mallikarjun Kharge (R) speaks in the House during the Budget session of Parliament. Pics/PTI

Chaos in Parliament as Nadda, Kharge clash over Rahul Gandhi's 'gag' allegations

The Rajya Sabha witnessed a stormy start to the session on Thursday, with government and Opposition getting into verbal confrontation over denial of permission to Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi to speak in the Lok Sabha and also over attempts to stall Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.  Lok Sabha was adjourned moments after reconvening on Thursday, following which the Upper House witnessed noisy scenes and uproar with Opposition accusing the government of gagging the Leader of Opposition. This invited strong counters from Leader of House in the Rajya Sabha J.P. Nadda and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. Rijiju slams Opposition for distrupting PM's address, urges MPs to follow House rules Rijiju condemned the Opposition’s conduct and schooled the members on following Parliamentary protocols. "Today we all are expecting that all MPs will follow rules and traditions of the House. All the Parliamentarians are waiting to hear the Prime Minister's speech today. Congress doesn't want to listen to the PM's address, but all other members do. Your LoP Lok Sabha doesn't follow the House rules," Rijiju told the House. Mallikarjun objects to Nehru, Indira remarks; seeks Rahul Gandhi's turn to speak Mallikarjun Kharge took strong objections to ‘humiliation’ of late Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi by BJP lawmakers, apparently referring to citations from controversial books, and insisted that Rahul Gandhi be given a chance to speak in the House. "Parliament means Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The LoP, Lok Sabha, wanted to speak on the country's interests, but was not allowed to speak. How can you run the House like this?" Kharge said. J.P. Nadda counters Opposition amid slogan-shouting in Rajya Sabha J.P. Nadda, turning the tables on the Opposition, said, "The LoP should know that the proceedings of the Lok Sabha cannot be discussed in the Rajya Sabha." While the leaders engaged in fierce arguments, uproar prevailed in the House with Opposition members resorting to slogan-shouting. Earlier, the INDIA bloc floor leaders held a meeting inside the Parliament House to deliberate on their strategy on cornering the government. (Inputs from IANS)

05 February,2026 01:20 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
The high-rise in Ghaziabad from where they jumped off. PIC/PTI

Police probe role of online ‘Korean game’ in sisters’ deaths

Three minor sisters died after allegedly jumping off the balcony of a ninth-floor flat in Ghaziabad early on Wednesday, with police probing the role of addiction to an online Korean game, officials said. ACP (Shalimar Garden) Atul Kumar Singh said preliminary investigation has revealed that the sisters were allegedly addicted to ‘love game’, an online task-based interactive Korean game.  The police received information around 2.15 am that three girls had jumped off the balcony in the Sahibabad area. According to the police, the sisters became addicted to online gaming during the COVID-19 period and had been continuously playing the game, often together. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

05 February,2026 01:16 PM IST | Ghaziabad | Agencies
Indian Naval Ship Gharial arrived in Colombo on Thursday, carrying the bridges. Pic/Defence PRO

Navy delivers Bailey bridges to support Sri Lanka’s post-cyclone reconstruction

Indian Naval Ship Gharial arrived in Colombo on Thursday, carrying 10 Bailey bridges to support Sri Lanka’s post-cyclone reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. The modular Bailey bridges will play a critical role in the rapid restoration of damaged road connectivity, facilitating civilian movement and enabling the smooth conduct of relief and rehabilitation operations in affected areas. The humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) mission is part of India’s USD 450 million Special Economic Package announced by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and builds on the ongoing regional cooperation framework under Operation Sagar Bandhu. The deployment underscores the Indian Navy’s role as a first responder and a trusted partner in the Indian Ocean Region, reaffirming India’s commitment to supporting its maritime neighbours in times of need. India, Sri Lanka linked by deep civilisational, spiritual bonds: PM Modi on Buddha relics exposition Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Thursday said India and Sri Lanka share "deep civilisational and spiritual bonds" as he thanked Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for inaugurating the exposition of the holy Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha in Colombo. The first-ever international exposition of these sacred relics, originating from the Devnimori archaeological site in Gujarat’s Aravalli district, is being held at Gangaramaya Temple from February 4 to 11. The event was inaugurated on Wednesday by President Dissanayake, along with Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, in the presence of Chief Incumbent Ven Kirinde Assaji Thero. President Dissanayake posted on X on February 4: “Respectfully welcome the Sacred Relics of the Buddha to Sri Lanka today for public veneration until the 11th at Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple. I deeply appreciate PM @narendramodi and the Government of India for honouring their promise and enabling this sacred exposition.” He also shared photographs of the relics, which will be open for public viewing from February 5. Sharing his post on X, Prime Minister Modi wrote: “Gratitude to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for inaugurating the Exposition of the Holy Devnimori Relics at the sacred Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo.” "During my visit in April 2025, it was decided these relics will come to Sri Lanka, thus giving the opportunity for the people to pay their respects. Our nations are connected by deep civilisational and spiritual bonds. May Lord Buddha's timeless message of compassion, peace and harmony continue to guide humanity. @anuradisanayake," he said. (With PTI inputs)

05 February,2026 01:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Precious metals see sharp selloff after record rally. Representational Image

Gold, silver prices dip 7–9 per cent as aggressive profit-taking continues

Gold and silver prices continued their sharp decline on Sunday, as investors booked profits post an unprecedented rally over the past year. MCX gold February futures fell 7.12 per cent to Rs 1,39,000 per 10 grams around 10 am on an intraday basis. Meanwhile, MCX silver March futures dipped 9 percent to Rs 2,65,652 per kg. CME Group raised margin requirements on Comex gold and silver futures after the metal prices saw steep declines, which raised investor caution. Further, the US dollar strengthened, and domestic investors expected a customs duty cut in Budget 2026, which fuelled the fall in precious metals. International markets saw spot gold prices heading for their steepest daily fall since 1983, while silver is set for its worst day on record. CME Group said on Friday that margins for gold futures under the non-heightened risk profile will be raised to 8 per cent of the underlying contract value from the current 6 per cent. For positions under the heightened risk profile, the new margins will be 8.8 per cent, up from 6.6 per cent. Higher margins will lead to traders locking more money upfront to hold the same futures position, which reduces speculative interests. Analysts said that MCX Gold futures have witnessed a sharp rejection from the Rs 1,80,000–Rs 1,81,000 zone, followed by an aggressive breakdown, confirming short-term trend exhaustion. However, they maintained that the broader long-term trend of the yellow metal was bullish. The breakdown in MCX silver invalidates the steep bullish channel, and signals panic unwinding of leveraged long positions, they said, adding that momentum indicators have flipped from extreme overbought to oversold within a very short span, highlighting structural instability rather than healthy correction. For silver, a critical support zone lies at Rs 2,60,000-Rs 2,55,000 zone, they said, adding that a pullback toward Rs 3,00,000-Rs 3,10,000 zone is expected to attract selling pressure. The trend remains bearish biased in the short term, with volatility expected to stay elevated, analysts noted. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

05 February,2026 12:52 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Massive congestion on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway after a gas tanker overturned in the Khandala Ghat section on Wednesday. Pics/PTI

Massive traffic jam on Mumbai-Pune Expressway after gas tanker accident

A massive traffic gridlock was reported on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway on Tuesday and Wednesday after a tanker carrying propylene gas — a highly inflammable industrial chemical — overturned near the Khandala Ghat section close to the Adoshi Tunnel on Tuesday at 5 pm. The accident led to a complete shutdown of traffic on the Mumbai-bound carriageway as authorities rushed to prevent a possible explosion following a gas leak from the damaged tanker. The leakage posed a serious safety threat, forcing emergency agencies to adopt an extremely cautious approach in dealing with the incident. Traffic on both the expressway and the old Mumbai-Pune highway remained severely affected for several hours, leaving thousands of commuters stranded. Traffic movement within Pune and Mumbai city areas was also impacted due to the prolonged congestion. What happened Chemical expert Dhananjay Aatmaram Gidh, who has handled over 400 similar gas leakage incidents, told mid-day that the situation required extreme caution. “When I received the call about the leakage, I was in Manchar. The tanker walls had been damaged, and our first priority was to secure them. Along with other officials, we ensured the damaged portions were stabilised. Two tankers were brought in to decant the leaked gas, while a third tanker was on the way,” he said, adding that this was the status as of 4.30 pm on Wednesday. Vehicles stuck in a traffic jam on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway after a gas tanker overturned in the Khandala Ghat section. Pics/PTI Gidh explained that propylene is as flammable as, and in some conditions more hazardous than, LPG, particularly when leaked under pressure in open or confined spaces. Due to the volatile nature of the gas and structural damage to the tanker, the decanting process had to be carried out slowly, significantly delaying road clearance. “Once the decanting process is completed, the overturned tanker will be removed and traffic restored. However, the operation may continue till late night,” he said. Experts present at the site added that intense afternoon heat further complicated operations, forcing teams to temporarily halt work as an added safety measure due to the high risk of ignition. Traffic advisory and diversions Meanwhile, the traffic department issued an urgent advisory through its social media handles, warning commuters to avoid the Mumbai-Pune corridor. Due to the gas tanker accident and an ongoing leak near the Adoshi Tunnel, traffic on both the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the old highway (NH-48) was severely disrupted. Commuters were advised to avoid the Lonavala-Khandala ghat section. Alternative routes included:>> Tamhini Ghat>> Malshej Ghat>> Bhimashankar-Manchar route Inconvenience at its peak The accident resulted in more than 23 hours of traffic congestion, turning a safety shutdown into a prolonged human ordeal. Thousands of commuters, including families, elderly passengers, children and working professionals, were stranded for up to 15 hours without access to basic facilities such as toilets, drinking water or food. For many, the crisis went beyond delay to distress and dignity. Police personnel halt heavy vehicles on the expressway “There were no toilets and no place to even step out safely. Managing infants inside a parked car for hours was exhausting. Milk ran out, diapers became an issue, and children kept crying through the night. This was not something anyone could have prepared for,” said a commuter stuck in traffic. Several others reported rationing water, skipping meals and sitting inside vehicles for hours without proper ventilation. Elderly passengers complained of body pain, dehydration and anxiety, while parents struggled to calm restless children. Jalindar Kale, a business consultant travelling to Mumbai for an important meeting, said the gridlock had cost him an entire workday. “I tried attending my meeting from the car, but the poor network and constant noise made it impossible. After eight hours, I had no option but to inform my office that I would not make it,” he said. Official response Highway Police Superintendent Tanaji Chikhale said traffic congestion stretched up to the Khalapur toll plaza on the Mumbai side and nearly 10 to 12 km towards Pune. “The intensity of the gas leakage increased, forcing us to completely close the Mumbai-bound lane as a precaution. Motorists faced delays until the situation was brought under control,” he said, reiterating the advisory to use alternate routes. As containment operations continued through Wednesday, the incident exposed a critical gap in highway disaster management, particularly the absence of emergency facilities for stranded motorists on one of Maharashtra’s busiest transport corridors. Operator statement An official spokesperson of IRB MP Expressway Pvt Ltd said the tanker was carrying extremely flammable propylene gas, which leaked after the accident, necessitating stringent safety measures. “The IRB team has been present at the site along with authorities concerned and is continuously monitoring the situation. We are working to restore normalcy at the earliest after receiving clearance. Given the severity of the incident, the practical challenges involved in handling such emergencies must be understood,” the statement said. Commuter Speak Kunal Pradhan, chief business officer at TechJar Technologies Pvt Ltd, said, “I was travelling from Pune to Mumbai on Tuesday evening and saw the overturned tanker around 5 pm. I narrowly escaped getting stuck. However, after my meeting, I had to return, and by Wednesday evening, the situation had worsened.” Another commuter, Ritika Patel, said, “I work in Mumbai and live in Pune. I was travelling home for a family function, but the experience was horrible. Children were crying, elderly people were suffering, and some passengers were clearly unwell.”

05 February,2026 08:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Archana Dahiwal
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