Maharashtra Unveils Master Plan To Prevent Traffic Chaos On Mumbai-Pune Expressway After Gas Tanker Leak

CM Devendra Fadnavis admits delayed response; new SOP, air ambulance plan and stricter tanker rules proposed in Assembly

The Maharashtra government has announced a comprehensive action plan to prevent massive traffic jams and improve emergency response on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway after a recent gas tanker accident brought traffic to a standstill for nearly 36 hours.

The issue was raised during the state Assembly session following the incident in which a tanker carrying highly flammable propylene gas overturned near the Adoshi tunnel in Raigad district. The resulting gas leak led to the closure of a key stretch of the expressway, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and exposing gaps in emergency preparedness.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged that the response to the incident was delayed. “This type of accident happened for the first time. The companies handling such hazardous materials were not fully prepared with proper rescue operations or a clear SOP to follow. For the government, too, this was a completely new case study. It is a wake-up call, and we are preparing a proper SOP to handle such situations in the future,” he said.

New SOP And Emergency Measures

Fadnavis informed the House that a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is being developed to ensure better coordination among agencies during such emergencies. The government will frame clear guidelines for the transport of flammable and hazardous materials and study international best practices.

The government has also proposed the use of air ambulances during the ‘golden hour’,  the first hour after a serious accident to shift critically injured patients directly to major hospitals in Mumbai or Pune, such as Ruby Hall Clinic and Apollo Hospital.

Although the Chief Minister noted that night landing facilities for helicopters are currently unavailable, he assured that the best possible arrangements would be made to strengthen emergency response systems.

Opposition Raises Safety Concerns

BJP MLA Ameet Satam questioned whether proper inspections were carried out before the tanker began its journey and whether strict regulations exist for vehicles transporting highly inflammable materials.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aditya Thackeray described the incident as a serious bio-chemical risk and highlighted that poor road conditions, including potholes, can increase the danger during transportation of hazardous materials. He suggested that such tankers should have predefined routes and operate only on well-maintained roads. He also stressed the need for proper hazmat response systems and clear evacuation plans.

NCP leader Jayant Patil suggested deploying a dedicated helicopter to transport emergency response teams quickly to accident sites. He also recommended a technology-driven communication system to keep commuters informed in real time.

Fadnavis assured that suggestions from both leaders would be considered. The government is also exploring the use of IMS-based alerts to send emergency messages directly to commuters’ mobile phones.

Steps To Prevent Future Congestion

High-tech cameras have already been installed on the expressway to monitor speeding and illegal overtaking, with real-time feeds sent to control rooms. Twenty-four-hour patrols have been intensified at more than 10 identified ‘black spots’.

To manage congestion, FASTag has been made mandatory at toll plazas and additional staff will be deployed during peak holiday seasons. In case traffic builds beyond manageable levels, heavy vehicles may be temporarily halted to allow light vehicles to pass.

Heavy vehicles are now required to stay in the left lane, and strict action will be taken against violators through CCTV surveillance by the Maharashtra Highway Police.

The government said the new SOP and technology-backed measures aim to ensure that such prolonged traffic paralysis does not recur on one of the state’s busiest highways.