Maharashtra to Explore Airlifting Damaged Tankers Following 32-Hour Expressway Jam
MUMBAI – In a move to overhaul disaster management on the state’s busiest arterial routes, the Maharashtra government is examining the feasibility of airlifting damaged hazardous tankers during extreme emergencies.
The announcement comes in the wake of a harrowing 36-hour traffic standstill on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway earlier this month. The gridlock, triggered by a gas tanker accident in the Khandala Ghat section on February 3, left thousands of commuters stranded and highlighted critical gaps in highway emergency protocols.
Strengthening Emergency Response
Addressing a Calling Attention Notice in the state assembly on Saturday, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis outlined a comprehensive strategy to prevent a recurrence of such “nightmare” scenarios.
Key measures include:
- Dedicated Response Units: Setting up specialized hazardous material response units along major highways.
- Enhanced Fire-Fighting: Strengthening fire-control mechanisms, specifically providing foam and water systems within tunnel sections.
- Corporate Accountability: Companies transporting volatile substances (such as HPCL and BPCL) are now required to maintain their own rescue equipment and strictly follow defined emergency protocols.
- ITMS Integration: Upgrading the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) to provide real-time SMS alerts and signboard updates to divert traffic before it enters affected zones.
The “Airlift” Proposal and Logistics
Intervening in the debate, Devendra Fadnavis noted that the government is looking at international models where heavy-lift capabilities are used to clear wreckage in sensitive zones. While NCP (SP) MLA Jayant Patil suggested immediate helicopter deployment for rapid response, Fadnavis cautioned that night-flying restrictions currently pose operational constraints that need to be addressed.
₹5 Crore Toll Refund via Fastag
In a rare move to compensate affected commuters, the government confirmed that tolls collected during the 36-hour disruption would be refunded. While manual refunds were processed on-site, more than ₹5 crore collected automatically via Fastag will be reimbursed to vehicle owners’ accounts.
The accident occurred when a driver lost control of a highly flammable cargo. While authorities successfully prevented a leak or explosion, the incident sparked concerns from opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray, regarding the state’s preparedness for transporting petroleum and chemical substances.
The government has now ordered the formalization of new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure that the “Lifeline of Maharashtra” remains safe and functional.
