Pune: Raj Thackeray Criticises Govt After 32-Hour Mumbai–Pune Expressway Closure, Seeks Accountability
Mumbai/Pune, 5th February 2026: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday lashed out at the state government following the nearly 32-hour shutdown of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, questioning the administration’s preparedness and demanding a clear accountability mechanism for recurring infrastructure failures.
Traffic on the crucial corridor was halted around 5 pm on Tuesday after a gas tanker overturned, forcing authorities to suspend vehicular movement as a safety measure. While acknowledging that the precaution was necessary, Thackeray questioned whether the government had an effective emergency action plan to restore traffic swiftly.
He said repeated inquiries after major incidents have done little to improve on-ground response. According to Thackeray, the focus should be on learning from past failures and establishing a robust disaster-response system for one of the state’s most important transport lifelines.
Referring to the expressway’s more than two-decade history, Thackeray argued that authorities should have anticipated potential emergencies and ensured the entire stretch remains equipped to handle crises efficiently. He alleged that while toll collection remains consistent, essential services and rapid response mechanisms appear inadequate.
Demand for Toll Refund-
The MNS leader reiterated that his party’s earlier protests against toll were not aimed at abolishing the levy, but at demanding accountability and better facilities for commuters. He called for a refund of toll collected during the prolonged disruption, stating that motorists paid for a service that was effectively unavailable.
Taking a swipe at ambitious infrastructure announcements, Thackeray referred to the proposed Mumbai–Pune high-speed rail project and said authorities must first ensure dependable road connectivity between the two cities. He remarked that despite Mumbai and Pune being described as engines of economic growth, commuters still face uncertainty over travel time on a daily basis.
Instead of ordering another inquiry, Thackeray demanded a time-bound and publicly accessible emergency response plan to deal with future crises on the expressway. He also criticised ongoing political wrangling over guardian minister posts, saying it was ironic that leaders vying for supervisory roles had failed to protect citizens during such disruptions.
The extended closure triggered widespread inconvenience for thousands of travellers, once again spotlighting the vulnerability of one of Maharashtra’s busiest transport corridors.
