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Authorities have decided to introduce additional median openings at intervals of 2 to 2.5 km along the 14-km Bhor Ghat section of the Pune-Mumbai Expressway after a tanker carrying highly flammable propylene gas overturned near the Adoshi Tunnel in the Khandala area earlier this week. The accident led to traffic disruption for over 32 hours. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and highway police have also proposed widening existing openings and appointing technical experts to manage hazardous material emergencies more efficiently.
Traffic on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway remained disrupted for more than 32 hours earlier this week after a tanker carrying highly flammable propylene gas overturned near the Adoshi Tunnel in the Khandala section of the Bhor Ghat stretch. The incident forced authorities to stop vehicular movement for an extended period, causing long queues and inconvenience to thousands of commuters travelling between Mumbai and Pune. Advertisement
Following the incident, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and the state highway police reviewed the emergency response mechanism on the 14-km ghat section of the expressway. Officials observed that the limited number of median openings made it difficult to divert traffic from one carriageway to the other during the crisis.
At present, there are only four median openings along the Bhor Ghat stretch. Of these, only two are wide enough to allow two vehicles to pass simultaneously, while the remaining two are narrow and permit only single-lane movement. During the recent accident, this restriction prevented smooth diversion of vehicles and contributed to the prolonged closure of the expressway.
To address this issue, authorities have proposed constructing additional median openings at intervals of approximately every 2 to 2.5 km. The plan also includes widening the existing openings and ensuring they are clearly marked so that they can be accessed quickly during emergencies. Officials said these openings will remain barricaded under normal conditions to prevent misuse and unauthorised crossovers.
The highway police have also recommended appointing a dedicated technical expert within MSRDC and coordinating with concessionaire IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd to handle hazardous material situations. During the recent accident, authorities had to depend on external specialists to manage the gas leak and ensure safe removal of the tanker. Officials indicated that having in-house expertise would help speed up decision-making and reduce delays in such critical situations.
A senior MSRDC official stated that the corporation has received the police communication and has formed a committee to examine the feasibility, design, and safety aspects of the proposed median openings. The committee will study technical requirements before implementation.
The Bhor Ghat section has historically been considered a sensitive stretch due to steep gradients, sharp curves, and heavy vehicle movement. Over the years, multiple safety measures have been introduced, including surveillance systems and traffic monitoring. However, the recent incident highlighted the need for additional infrastructure support to manage emergencies more effectively.
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