Pune, 15 August 2025: Pune found itself at the centre of a major travel rush on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway on Friday morning as thousands of holidaymakers headed for popular tourist destinations. The Independence Day holiday on Friday, followed by the weekend, created a three-day break that many chose to spend in hill stations and scenic spots around Pune.
The heaviest congestion was reported in the Lonavala–Khandala stretch, where long queues of vehicles stretched for kilometres. Travellers reported standstills lasting up to 15 minutes in places like Khopoli and Khopoli exit points, while Google Maps indicated delays of more than half an hour in some sections.
One commuter shared on social media that traffic had been slow-moving since Thursday night, warning others to avoid the expressway this weekend due to “endless queues.” The situation has been worsened by a large number of visitors heading not only to Lonavala and Khandala but also to Matheran, Mahabaleshwar, Tamhini Ghat, Varandha Ghat, and other nearby spots.
Tourism experts say such congestion is common during long weekends, as these destinations lie conveniently between Mumbai and Pune. Traffic police have deployed extra personnel to manage the flow, but the sheer volume of vehicles has made control difficult. They are urging travellers to use the old Mumbai–Pune highway or other alternate roads, and to check real-time traffic apps before setting off.
Elsewhere, delays were also reported on the Pune–Satara route near Khandala and in the Khambatki Ghat area. Authorities have appealed to the public to follow traffic advisories to avoid extended delays and ensure a smoother journey.