Mumbai–Pune Expressway Traffic: Aaditya Thackeray Slams Government, Toll Operators as Commuters Remain Stranded for Over 20 Hours

A massive traffic jam is reported on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. People have been stuck in the gridlock for over 24 hours. A gas tanker overturned on the expressway at Adoshi Tunnel in the Khopoli area on February 3. The commuters on the Mumbai-bound stretch remain stuck with no food and water. The toll collection on the expressway has been stopped. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has stated that ST bus services from Pune to Mumbai will remain shut until the traffic is cleared. Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Aaditya Thackeray criticized the government for not intervening in this situation. Taking to X, he slammed the government and toll operators for this chaos.

Aaditya Thackeray posted on X, It’s beyond absurd that the Government can’t intervene and help people stuck on the Mumbai- Pune Expressway for over 20 hours. For all the talk of development and good governance, a basic intervention could have helped by reaching out to the people and offering food/ water/ toilets at certain distances from where they’re stuck.  Been hearing of the plight of the people and the helplessness with which they’ve had to deal with this. Shouldn’t the toll operators be made to pay for these services that they “maintain” and “operate” the highways for?”

It’s beyond absurd that the Government can’t intervene and help people stuck on the Mumbai- Pune Expressway for over 20 hours.

For all the talk of development and good governance, a basic intervention could have helped by reaching out to the people and offering food/ water/…

— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) February 4, 2026

Drone visuals show massive traffic congestion at the Pune -Mumbai Expressway near the Adoshi Tunnel following an accident. Long queues of vehicles have caused heavy delays for commuters.#PuneMumbaiExpressway#TrafficJam#RoadAccidentpic.twitter.com/IQUOnAnPtr

— Lokmat Times Nagpur (@LokmatTimes_ngp) February 4, 2026

On the other hand, Minister of State Indranil Naik stated that the toll collection has been stopped temporarily on the expressway.speaking to ABP News, Minister of State Indranil Naik acknowledged the hardship faced by commuters. “It is absolutely true that people who are travelling are suffering immensely. I spoke to the Public Works Department and the Roads Secretary a short while ago. They have been asked to convey detailed information to the Chief Minister through me. This is something I have personally experienced as well, as I was once stuck in a similar situation,” he said. He added that heavy traffic flow and delays in the missing link project had worsened the situation, calling the suffering of commuters a harsh reality. Stressing the need for immediate action, Naik said the situation demanded a swift and permanent fix. “What has unfolded over the past 21–22 hours is unacceptable. We are in continuous coordination with the PWD and the Home Secretary to ensure the route is cleared at the earliest. A long-term solution has to be put in place,” he said. Responding to questions on why toll collection was continuing despite the disruption, Naik said, “I will take immediate steps and direct officials to stop collecting tolls,” clearly outlining the government’s position.