A major traffic jam disrupted traffic on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Lonavala on Thursday morning, leaving vehicles at a crawl for several kilometres. The visuals showed long lines of cars and trucks moving forward, especially in the ghat section, as reported by PTI.
The traffic jam occurred during the morning rush hour and authorities warned commuters of delays towards Pune.
The long weekend factor
However, March 26 falls on a Thursday and is part of a long weekend for those who have Friday March 27 off. Many people take Friday off to enjoy the four-day weekend from Thursday to Sunday (March 26-29).
Netizens say ‘no proper management’
User tagged Dy. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, “We are facing traffic jam on Pune expressway in Mumbai almost daily. No proper management. Toll still needs to be paid. Please do something…”
The problem of heavy trucks occupying all lanes on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway causes regular delays to other minor traffic. The police are unable to control this harassment, noted a user on X.
Many commuters expressed their frustration on the X social media platform and pointed out the frequent traffic jams on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Expressing his displeasure, one user wrote, “Mumbai Pune Expressway should be declared a slow road… Every day 25 to 45 minutes delay. Today Thursday it shows 25 minutes delay and they are charging toll ₹320. With the missing article, a is now introduced ₹500 tolls, what next?’
Mumbai–Pune Expressway
The Mumbai–Pune Expressway is approximately 94.5 kilometers long and was inaugurated in 2002 as the first six-lane expressway in India. It was designed to provide a faster alternative to the older NH4 route and significantly reduce travel time between Mumbai, the financial capital, and Pune, the education and IT hub.
The highway runs through the Western Ghats and presents challenging sections, especially in the hilly areas of the Ghats. It features a dedicated lane for slow-moving vehicles, several toll booths with increasing toll charges, and includes several tunnels, bridges and scenic views, especially in the Ghat section, making it a key road as well as a scenic drive.
The Mumbai–Pune Expressway is a key expressway that connects the cities of Mumbai and Pune. It is a key route for commuters, passengers and freight, making it one of the busiest expressways in the country.
It often experiences heavy traffic, especially during peak hours and on holiday weekends. It is prone to getting stuck, especially during the monsoon season when landslides can cause malfunctions.
However, there are plans to improve and widen sections, such as the Missing Link project, which aims to ease traffic by adding lanes and improving access points.
