Watch: Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway Jam Strands Hundreds Of Students Overnight

Over 500 students and commuters were left stranded on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad national highway in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Wednesday, as a severe traffic jam brought vehicles to a near halt. The congestion left children and other commuters stuck for hours, with limited access to food or water.

The jam affected 12 buses carrying students from classes 5 to 10 from various schools, along with some college students from Thane and Mumbai. The vehicles were reportedly stuck from around 5:30 pm on Tuesday until early Wednesday morning, according to officials quoted by PTI.

Students Wait Hours Without Food or Water

The children, returning from a school picnic near Virar, reportedly spent several hours without food or water. By nightfall, many students were exhausted, hungry, and anxious, while worried parents waited desperately for updates on their children's safety.

Local members of a social organization rushed to the scene, distributing water and biscuits to the stranded children and assisting drivers in navigating the congested lanes.

"The students were crying due to hunger and exhaustion. It was heartbreaking to see them suffer because of poor traffic management," an activist told PTI.

Cause of the Jam

The massive traffic congestion was reportedly triggered by the diversion of heavy vehicles due to repair work on the Ghodbunder highway in Thane, which forced additional traffic onto the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway. A Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar police control room official confirmed the jam and said that while the congestion was slowly easing, vehicle movement remained sluggish.

Parents and Residents Criticize Poor Planning

Some buses carrying students managed to take alternate routes, while others crawled slowly through the jam. The last of the stranded buses reportedly reached their destinations by 6 am on Wednesday.

Parents and local residents criticized authorities for the lack of planning and coordination, saying the children were left helpless for hours without guidance or assistance.

"There was no police, no information, no system in place. Our children were left stranded," one parent said. Residents have urged the traffic department and civic authorities to take immediate measures to prevent such incidents in the future, especially during road repairs and planned diversions.

This incident highlights the urgent need for better traffic management and contingency planning to ensure the safety of students and commuters during heavy congestion periods.