MUMBAI – Traffic on the vital Mumbai-Pune Expressway has finally resumed after a harrowing 32-hour closure triggered by a massive gas tanker overturn near Adoshi Tunnel. The incident, which unfolded on February 3, sent shockwaves through the region as highly flammable propylene gas began leaking from the toppled vehicle, prompting immediate shutdowns and emergency responses.
Raigad Highway Police confirmed late Monday that the gas leak has been fully contained, the tanker removed, and the Mumbai-bound lane reopened. Commuters stranded in massive jams breathed a sigh of relief as vehicles began flowing smoothly once again on both the expressway and the parallel NH-48 old highway.
The drama began around 5 PM on Saturday when the propylene-laden tanker flipped at kilometer marker 41 near Adoshi Tunnel. Flames of panic spread faster than the gas itself, with authorities swiftly halting all traffic to avert a potential catastrophe. Teams from highway police, Raigad district police, fire brigade, NDRF, BPCL, Help Foundation, and chemical experts rushed to the scene, battling technical hurdles to seal the leak.
Highway Safety Superintendent’s press release detailed the exhaustive efforts that culminated in success at 1:30 AM on February 5. ‘This was a high-stakes operation where every minute counted,’ the note emphasized, praising the coordinated response that neutralized the threat without casualties.
Thousands of travelers endured grueling delays, with social media flooded by tales of frustration amid updates urging patience. Now, with normalcy restored, police urge motorists to ignore rumors and drive cautiously. The episode underscores the fragility of India’s bustling highways and the heroism of first responders who turned disaster into relief.