Mumbai-Pune Expressway Tanker Accident: Propylene Gas Leak Near Adoshi Tunnel Causes 10-Hour Traffic Jam
Commuters on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway faced a harrowing night as a tanker carrying highly flammable Propylene gas overturned near the Adoshi Tunnel, triggering a massive gas leak and a total traffic shutdown that lasted well into Wednesday morning.
The Incident: High-Speed Overturn Near Adoshi Tunnel
The chaos began on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at approximately 4:45 PM. A large tanker transporting Propylene gas was navigating the downward slope of the Bhor Ghat section toward Mumbai. According to sources, the driver lost control at a sharp curve just before the Adoshi Tunnel entrance, causing the massive vehicle to turtle across the Mumbai-bound lanes.
The impact caused an immediate leak of the pressurized gas. Given the highly flammable nature of Propylene, emergency responders, including the ‘Devdoot’ rescue squad, Khopoli Fire Brigade, and IRB emergency teams, cordoned off the area within minutes. As a safety precaution, authorities took the drastic step of halting all Mumbai-bound traffic, fearing a secondary explosion.
🚨 Ground report from the Mumbai-Pune Expressway where a Propylene gas tanker overturned near Adoshi Tunnel.
— PuneNow (@itspunenow) February 4, 2026
Thousands spent the night stranded with zero amenities. Traffic slowly moving in batches now, but a massive backlog remains.#MumbaiPuneExpressway #TrafficAlert #PuneNow… pic.twitter.com/9GHWIem5Az
Traffic Paralysis: Thousands Stranded in the Ghats
What started as a localized accident quickly escalated into a regional logistics nightmare. By 7:00 PM, the tailback on the Mumbai-bound lane stretched over 10 kilometers, reaching back toward Lonavala.
While light vehicles were eventually diverted through the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway (NH4) via Khopoli, the sheer volume of traffic led to a secondary gridlock on the old highway. Heavy vehicles, which could not be diverted through the narrow ghat sections of the old road, remained stationary on the Expressway for the duration of the night.
Spent 7 hours on Pune Mumbai Expressway yesterday stuck in the jam. Exited to stay at Lonavala overnight. The toll booth did charge the toll on exit😀 the tanker still stuck there in the morning. Thousands of vehicle stuck. @1033_Helpline @MTPHereToHelp pic.twitter.com/BQctmiGpMT
— Mayank (@mayank_kmr) February 4, 2026
“Zero Information, Zero Support”: Frustrated Commuters Lash Out
The incident has sparked a wave of public outrage on social media, with travelers criticizing the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and highway authorities for a lack of disaster management and communication.
Many commuters, including families with children and senior citizens, spent more than 10 hours on the road without access to water, food, or restrooms.
Tondare Sudhakar (@SudhakarTondare): “Disaster management on Mumbai Pune expressway by @MSRDCLtd is really horrible. Senior citizens and ladies got stuck for more than 3 to 5 hours without any facility of water or support. Make concerned people accountable.”
Others highlighted the disconnect between the high tolls collected and the quality of emergency services provided.
Sweta Jain Patil (@Anuana10): “Over 1 hour stuck in massive traffic… Tolls are collected efficiently, when will commuters get efficient roads? Accountability matters.”
For many, the night was spent inside their vehicles in the middle of the ghats. Shivam Narain (@ShivamNarain23) reported being stuck for 10 hours, stating, “Thousands of riders affected… absolute zero information nor diversion of traffic.”
Technical Challenges in the Recovery Operation
Clearing the site was not a standard towing operation. Because the tanker was leaking Propylene, specialized chemical experts were summoned to neutralize the leak before the vehicle could be uprighted.
“The risk of a spark causing a massive blast in the tunnel area was too high,” stated a senior official from the Highway Safety Patrol. “We had to wait for the gas pressure to be managed by experts before cranes could move the tanker. This is why the Mumbai-bound lane remained closed for over eight hours.”
Current Status and Alternate Routes
As of Wednesday morning, February 4, traffic is being released in batches. However, a massive backlog remains, and Google Maps continues to show heavy congestion (dark red) from the Khalapur toll naka to the Lonavala exit.
Travel Advisory for Today:
- Avoid the Expressway: If possible, postpone travel between Mumbai and Pune until late afternoon.
- Alternate Routes: Commuters are advised to use the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway for light vehicles. Some users have suggested the Tamhini Ghat route for those traveling from western Pune toward South Mumbai/Konkan, though this adds significant travel time.
- Check Live Maps: Ensure you check real-time traffic updates before crossing the Talegaon or Khalapur toll plazas.
The recurring nature of tanker accidents in the Bhor Ghat section has once again raised questions about lane discipline and speed regulation for heavy vehicles on India’s first access-controlled highway.
