Mumbai-Pune Expressway Traffic Jam Update: Chaos Continue As Commuters Take Alternative Routes; Buses Canceled

The traffic paralysis on the Mumbai-Pune corridor entered its second consecutive day on Wednesday, with severe congestion crippling not only the Mumbai-Pune Expressway but also spilling over onto all officially suggested alternative routes, causing massive delays and stranding thousands of commuters.

The crisis, triggered by an overturned hazardous gas tanker near the Adoshi tunnel on Tuesday evening, continues despite the gas leak being brought under control. One lane of the Expressway remains closed for clearance and safety operations, creating a 20-hour-long bottleneck.

Authorities had issued four key alternative routes for private vehicles:

Pune - Paud - Tamhini Ghat - Kolad - Mangaon - Panvel

Pune - Bhor - Varandha Ghat - Mahad - Mangaon - Panvel

Pune - Satara - Wai - Poladpur - Mahad - Panvel

Pune - Nashik - Igatpuri - Kasara - Thane

However, by Wednesday afternoon, these ghat sections and state highways were also reported to be clogged with diverted traffic. The volume of vehicles, including heavy goods transporters seeking bypass routes, has overwhelmed the capacity of these narrow, winding roads. Commuters reported travel times exceeding 10-12 hours on these diversions, which already add a minimum of 50 kilometres to the journey.

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐨𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬: 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐡𝐮𝐭 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩 |

Traffic on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway continued to remain severely affected on Wednesday, with one lane still closed a day after a gas tanker… pic.twitter.com/KvcDRX2Hkr

— MUMBAI NEWS (@Mumbaikhabar9) February 4, 2026

On the other hand, Pune Rural Police have launched a large-scale relief operation, handing out food and drinking water to thousands of commuters stranded on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

Acting under the direction of Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill, teams from Lonavala City Police Station were dispatched along the stretch to reach motorists caught in the 50-kilometre traffic jam.

के बजाय टोल वसूली की जा रही है । कोई सुविधा नहीं ।#MumbaiPuneExpressWay #IRB pic.twitter.com/BL1K0NTInF

— MANOJ CHANDELIYA (@manojchandeliya) February 4, 2026

Footage circulating online shows officers moving between rows of idling cars and two-wheelers, distributing biscuit packets and bottled water to weary travellers. The police are also assisting young children, elderly passengers and patients who have been without basic supplies since Tuesday night.

In a major development, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has suspended all its ST bus services from Pune to Mumbai destinations, including Mumbai Central, Dadar, Thane, and Borivali, until further notice. "Passenger safety and the inability to maintain schedules due to unprecedented gridlock forced this decision," an MSRTC official stated.

Authorities have reiterated their advisories, urging commuters to avoid the Khandala and Lonavala exits, which are critically congested. Travellers are strongly advised to carry ample fuel, water, and food if undertaking a journey. Heavy vehicles have been directed to halt at designated safe parking areas.

- #pune - #mumbai mandali,

I have no knowledge about the actions taken to ease up this flow of traffic.

- This is real time update. I landed at Juhu at 1200.

Good Luck and Safe Travels

PC: Sanskar pic.twitter.com/ZnlxbUOLHU

— Nitin Welde (@nitinwelde) February 4, 2026

Railways Remain Sole Reliable Option

Amid the complete road transport breakdown, railway services have emerged as the only functional mode of travel. The Deccan Queen, Intercity Express, and Sinhagad Express are running as per schedule and are reportedly packed to capacity.

Traffic and police officials are on site, managing the diversions and assisting stranded motorists. "Clearing the tanker is our top priority. We appeal for patience and request people to avoid non-essential travel on this corridor until normalcy is restored," said a senior traffic police official.

Emergency teams continue their work on the Expressway, with no definitive timeline yet for the full restoration of traffic flow.