Heavy Traffic Chaos on Mumbai–Pune Expressway Amid Vehicle Breakdowns During Long Weekend Rush
Heavy Traffic Chaos on Mumbai–Pune Expressway Amid Vehicle Breakdowns During Long Weekend Rush
The Mumbai–Pune Expressway turned into a nightmare for thousands of travelers on Friday as a massive traffic jam brought movement to a crawl. The gridlock was triggered by multiple vehicle breakdowns—mostly due to clutch plate failures—that created serious bottlenecks along the route.
To make matters worse, the congestion came at the peak of the Independence Day rush, which also marked the start of a long weekend. Holiday-goers heading to hill stations like Lonavala, Khandala, and Pune were caught in long queues of idle vehicles stretching for kilometers.
Real-time updates on Google Maps showed vast red zones on the expressway, signaling severe delays. The situation rapidly worsened as the pressure of high traffic volume met a string of unfortunate vehicle malfunctions. Several motorists were seen stranded by the roadside, waiting for help or attempting makeshift repairs.
Social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), lit up with frustrated posts and pictures from stuck commuters. Many shared updates warning others to avoid the expressway if possible. Authorities also stepped in, advising travelers to delay non-essential trips and brace for extended waiting periods.
The Mumbai–Pune Expressway—officially known as the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway—is India’s first six-lane, access-controlled toll road. Spanning about 94.5 km, it connects Mumbai and Pune, two of Maharashtra’s busiest cities. The expressway drastically cuts travel time between the two cities to under three hours (on a good day) and is considered one of the most important roadways in the country.
