Mumbai-Pune Expressway Jam: Eknath Shinde Orders Toll-Free Access for Stranded Vehicles

A massive rush of travellers heading from Mumbai to Pune was witnessed from Friday morning due to the three-day long weekend and the beginning of the summer vacation season in May. The sudden increase in the number of vehicles led to slow-moving traffic on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. As the crowd of vehicles continued to rise, traffic management became difficult, especially because of arrangements made for the Missing Link project inauguration. Several lanes on the expressway had been closed since morning for the event, while a heavy police deployment was also stationed at various points. The restrictions caused severe traffic congestion, leaving thousands of commuters stranded for long durations on the busy highway.

Information about the worsening traffic situation quickly reached political leaders and senior officials through different communication channels. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who was travelling to the event venue by helicopter, also noticed the massive traffic jam from the air. After witnessing the situation, he immediately instructed officials to allow stranded vehicles to pass through toll plazas without collecting toll charges. He also directed the police to personally monitor the implementation of the order and ensure that vehicles were released smoothly. Speaking about the situation, Shinde reportedly said that traffic was completely jammed and asked authorities to stop charging toll fees until the congestion was cleared and normal movement resumed on the route.

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The heavy congestion on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway also resulted in several vehicles breaking down, particularly near the ghat section where steep climbs caused engines to overheat under the scorching afternoon heat. Long queues of vehicles stretched across the highway, with commuters facing delays for several hours. Many travellers expressed anger over the planning of the Missing Link inauguration ceremony, claiming that holding the programme during peak holiday travel hours created unnecessary chaos for ordinary passengers. The inauguration event was scheduled for 1 pm, which according to travellers directly contributed to the traffic crisis. Several commuters said the event should have been organised either early in the morning or on the previous day to avoid inconvenience to the public.