Mumbai–Pune Expressway Traffic Snarls on Ram Navami, Commuters Stranded for Hours Near Lonavala

Severe traffic congestion was witnessed on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway on Thursday as a large number of vehicles took to the road on the occasion of Ram Navami. Long queues of cars were reported near Lonavala, especially in the ghat section, where the situation became increasingly difficult. Officials stated that the line of vehicles extended up to four to five kilometres at certain points, causing significant delays. The heavy influx of holiday travellers contributed to the slowdown, with traffic moving at a very slow pace for several hours along the busy stretch.

As congestion intensified, traffic movement in the ghat area nearly came to a halt due to the sudden spike in vehicles. Many commuters were seen stepping out of their cars and waiting on the roadside as frustration grew over the prolonged delay. Traffic police personnel were stationed at crucial points along the route to regulate the situation and ensure safety. Authorities adopted a controlled approach by allowing vehicles to move in smaller batches in an attempt to gradually reduce the pressure on the road and ease the bottleneck in the affected section.

VIDEO | Pune: Massive traffic jam on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway near Lonavala.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/pPtzXS10UJ

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 26, 2026

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A video released by Press Trust of India (PTI) on X captured the seriousness of the situation, showing an extensive line of vehicles stuck on the expressway with minimal movement. The footage clearly illustrated the scale of the congestion, particularly in the hilly terrain near Lonavala, where road conditions and heavy traffic further complicated the flow. The visuals quickly circulated online, drawing attention to the challenges faced by commuters during peak travel periods.

Officials explained that such traffic snarls are frequently observed during holidays and extended weekends, when a large number of people travel between Mumbai and Pune. Popular destinations like Lonavala and nearby hill stations witness a surge in visitors, leading to a sharp rise in vehicular movement. The expressway’s Khandala Ghat stretch is particularly prone to congestion due to its steep gradients, sharp bends, and the presence of heavy vehicles alongside private cars, often resulting in traffic bottlenecks.

This incident follows a major disruption on the same expressway in February 2026, when an overturned gas tanker near the Adoshi Tunnel led to a complete closure of the highway for more than 30 hours. The earlier episode had left thousands of travellers stranded for extended periods and raised serious concerns regarding emergency handling and traffic management systems on one of the busiest routes in the state.