Mumbai-Pune Expressway Reopens After 32-Hour Gridlock: Traffic Still Crawling as Normalcy Returns Slowly
Pune, February 05, 2026: Following one of the longest traffic crises in the history of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, a semblance of normalcy is finally returning to the corridor. After a staggering 32-hour battle against a high-pressure propylene gas leak, the expressway was fully cleared and reopened in the early hours of Thursday, February 5, 2026.
The Current State: Reopened but Crawling
As of Thursday morning, authorities confirmed that the damaged tanker was safely removed at 1:30 AM after expert teams from BPCL and Deepak Phenolics successfully transferred the flammable gas.
A TOTAL NIGHTMARE
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) February 5, 2026
At 1:30 a.m., the propane gas tanker was removed and the Mumbai–Pune Expressway was reopened. People had been stranded for 30 hours after a propane gas-filled tanker overturned. pic.twitter.com/FYkR00Vhog
- Lanes Clear, Flow Slow: While all lanes on the Mumbai-bound corridor have been reopened, traffic remains heavy and slow-moving through the Khandala Ghat and Kamshet sections.
- The “Sleeping Gridlock”: A unique challenge emerged overnight as many drivers, exhausted after being stationary for over 15 hours, fell asleep in their vehicles. This created “dead pockets” of traffic that police had to manually clear to jumpstart the flow.
- Accumulated Backlog: Traffic experts warn that with thousands of heavy vehicles and buses currently being released, it will take several hours for the speeds to hit double digits.
Not sure what is open, been stuck here in the tunnel before Kamshet since 4 in the morning. pic.twitter.com/mMAIzx2t5z
— Abeer (@wewantabeer) February 5, 2026
Inside the 32-Hour Crisis: A Nightmare for Thousands
The impact of the shutdown was unprecedented, with queues stretching over 25 kilometers toward Pune.
- Total Paralysis: The MSRTC was forced to cancel 139 bus services, including 73 e-Shivneri trips, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at Swargate and Pune Station.
- Human Cost: Senior citizens, children, and daily commuters were trapped without food or water for over a day. In response, MSRDC and police teams spent the night distributing water and biscuits to those stuck in the gridlock.
Government Action: Toll Waiver & New Safety Mandates
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has taken serious note of the systemic failure.
- Toll Suspension: In a gesture of relief, the Deputy CM ordered the suspension of toll collection at the respective toll nakas until the traffic flow is fully restored to normal.
- Emergency Traffic Plan: The MSRDC and State Police have been directed to create a “Special Emergency Traffic Plan” to ensure that a single vehicle accident never again paralyzes the state’s lifeline.
- Missing Link Priority: Shinde emphasized the urgency of completing the Mumbai-Pune Missing Link project, which will provide a bypass to the treacherous Ghat section and serve as a vital alternative during such emergencies.
PuneNow Advisory: While the road is open, we recommend commuters allow for an extra 90 to 120 minutes of travel time today as the heavy vehicle backlog clears.
