Massive Traffic Congestion Mumbai-Pune Expressway Since Yesterday; Stretching to 6-7 Km at Some Places
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway witnessed massive traffic jams starting Saturday noon, as vehicles piled up for kilometers, creating a nightmarish journey for commuters. Reports suggest that an unusually large number of travelers, seemingly the entire city of Mumbai, headed toward Pune during the extended New Year weekend. The chaos persisted late into the night and today morning, with highway authorities urging people to avoid unnecessary travel.
At 12 a.m. Saturday, the traffic remained gridlocked, with reports of vehicles lined up for several kilometers on the Mumbai-bound lane. Travelers noted that the Pune lane, however, was relatively smooth.
Rule Enforcement on the Expressway
Highway Patrolling Police stepped in to manage the situation, fining lane violators to enforce discipline. Officials reminded drivers that the left lane is reserved for heavy vehicles, while cars and light vehicles should use the middle and right lanes. However, the sheer volume of vehicles overwhelmed these measures.
A traveler stranded near Lonavala in the morning described how traffic stopped entirely just as the ghat section began. Speculations ranged from an accident to the overwhelming volume of vehicles.
Mumbai bound traffic… vehicles lined up for several kilometers pic.twitter.com/d5yLPnhOkr
— Singh Varun (@singhvarun) December 28, 2024
Traveler Accounts Highlight the Severity
Kunal Kulkarni, a commuter traveling from Navi Mumbai to Pune, reported being stuck in the ghat section for hours. “I started in the afternoon, but the whole ghat section was jam-packed. It was a frustrating and exhausting experience,” he shared.
Another report highlighted, “Since noon, traffic has been gridlocked. Even late at night, the situation remained unchanged. It’s best to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.”
Persistent Congestion and Advisory
Authorities confirmed that the gridlock on the Pune-bound carriageway extended over 6-7 kilometers at multiple points. In some cases, vehicles on the Mumbai-bound lane were also diverted to ease the burden, but relief was minimal. Meanwhile, traffic on the Mumbai-bound lane moved relatively smoothly, with only minor disruptions near Lonavala.
Travelers have been urged to follow lane rules strictly and exercise patience. With the holiday rush expected to continue through Sunday, motorists should anticipate extended delays and plan their trips accordingly.
