Commuters on the Mumbai-Pune route can now heave a collective sigh of relief as the expressway fully reopens 32 hours after a propylene gas tanker overturned near Adoshi Tunnel, sparking fears of explosion. Raigad authorities announced the all-clear after successfully neutralizing the leak and clearing the road.
The sequence of events started dramatically on February 3 evening at approximately 5 PM, when the tanker somersaulted on the Mumbai lane at km 41/000. Gas leakage ensued, heightening risks and forcing a precautionary traffic suspension across the highway.
An impressive array of responders – including highway police, Raigad forces, fire services, NDRF, BPCL, Help Foundation, and chemical pros – mounted a relentless operation. Despite formidable technical barriers, they plugged the leak by 1:30 AM on February 5, shifting the tanker to safety and resuming flows on the expressway and old NH-48.
Detailed in a Thursday press note from the Highway Safety SP, the resolution came after ceaseless toil. Real-time updates via media and social platforms minimized commuter distress amid the mammoth jams that trapped thousands.
No injuries were reported, a testament to proactive measures. Police now caution against baseless rumors circulating online. As vehicles zip freely again, this incident serves as a stark reminder of highway vulnerabilities and the valor of emergency teams who safeguarded countless lives.