Mumbai–Pune Expressway Shut After Gas Tanker Accident Near Adoshi Tunnel; Use Tamhini and Malshej Routes

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Lonavala, 4th February 2026: A major emergency unfolded on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway after a gas tanker carrying highly inflammable propylene overturned near the Adoshi Tunnel in the Bor Ghat section at Khopoli on Tuesday evening (February 3). Even after more than 16 hours, the gas leakage has not been fully controlled, bringing traffic on the Mumbai-bound lane to a complete standstill and leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

Fire brigade teams, disaster response units and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed at the site. Efforts are underway to secure the tanker and stop the leakage, but the situation remains critical. As a precautionary measure, the Mumbai-bound lane has been shut down, while traffic on the Pune-bound lane has slowed to a crawl.

According to traffic police, the congestion on the Pune side has stretched up to the Khalapur Toll Plaza, with queues running 10 to 12 km long. On the Mumbai side, traffic has been completely halted. Commuters reported being stuck for 14 to 18 hours, with families, senior citizens and children trapped in vehicles overnight.

Several angry passengers took to social media to express their frustration over the prolonged delay and lack of facilities. One commuter tweeted that the tanker overturned around 5 pm on Tuesday and was still not removed by 10 am on Wednesday. He said it took him eight hours to travel from Mumbai airport to Pune and questioned the toll system despite such poor emergency response.

Filmmaker Ajay Naik also posted that he had to cancel a scheduled TV interview as authorities advised against travel due to the expressway shutdown. “We are in 2026 and paying huge tolls, but this is the level of service we get,” he wrote.

Another commuter said he paid ₹240 in toll but was stuck for nearly five hours and had to pay the same amount again while returning to Pune.

Traffic Police Issue Advisory, Suggest Alternate Routes

Highway Police SP Tanaji Chikhale has urged motorists to completely avoid the Lonavala–Khandala–Bor Ghat section until the gas leak is fully contained. The following alternate routes have been suggested:

* Tamhini Ghat Route: Pune → Paud → Tamhini Ghat → Mangaon → Mumbai

• Malshej Ghat Route: Pune → Chakan → Narayangaon → Malshej Ghat → Kalyan/Thane

Authorities warned that travel time may increase by 3 to 5 hours via these routes and advised motorists to carry sufficient fuel, water and food.
Heavy vehicles have been requested to halt at the nearest safe parking zones or food malls until the situation normalises.

Police officials confirmed that gas leakage from the tanker is still active and traffic restrictions will remain in place until it is fully controlled. “NDRF and rescue teams are working on a war footing. As soon as the leakage reduces, we will begin phased restoration of traffic,” a senior traffic officer said.

The incident has once again raised serious questions over emergency response preparedness and infrastructure management on one of Maharashtra’s most expensive toll corridors.