Lonavala: Heavy Traffic on Mumbai-Pune Expressway Ahead of Long Weekend
Lonavala/Khandala, 14th August 2025: Commuters heading from Pune towards Mumbai on Thursday morning encountered significant delays on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, especially between Lonavala and Khandala. Vehicles moved at a crawl, with several motorists reporting being stuck in the same location for over 15 minutes. Navigation apps indicated an additional 30 minutes of slow-moving traffic ahead.
The congestion comes a day before an extended long weekend, which includes public holidays for Independence Day and Janmashtami on Friday and Saturday, followed by Sunday. The stretch is expected to see a sharp rise in tourist traffic as many travellers make their way to popular hill stations and coastal getaways.
“Traffic was already bumper-to-bumper this morning. If it’s like this today, tomorrow is going to be much worse,” said Sandeep Kulkarni, a motorist travelling from Pune to Thane.
Highway authorities have urged travellers to plan their journeys during off-peak hours, ensure their fuel tanks are full, and carry sufficient drinking water and snacks to cope with possible delays. Officials added that traffic is likely to remain heavy throughout the weekend, particularly near Lonavala, Khandala, and the Khalapur toll plaza.
