Pune, 26 January 2026: Traffic jam in Bor Ghat on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway refused to ease for the second consecutive day, causing major inconvenience to travellers during the Republic Day long weekend.
Long queues of vehicles were reported in the ghat section near Lonavala, leaving thousands of commuters stranded for hours at a standstill.
The extended holiday resulted in a sharp surge in vehicular movement, overwhelming the capacity of the ghat road. Traffic snarls were witnessed not only in the Bor Ghat stretch but also across Khandala and Lonavala, affecting tourists, daily commuters, and local residents traveling between Pune and Mumbai.
According to traffic officials, the situation worsened due to a mismatch between the road’s carrying capacity and the increasing number of vehicles, especially on weekends and public holidays.
The steep gradients and sharp curves in Khandala Ghat naturally slow down traffic, and even a single slow-moving or stalled vehicle quickly leads to long tailbacks.
Several incidents of vehicles breaking down were reported in the ghat section for the second day in a row. Heavy vehicles stopping due to mechanical failures, brake issues, or clutch problems further reduced road efficiency. Encroachments and roadside vendors also contributed to traffic bottlenecks, disrupting the smooth flow of vehicles.
An official from the Bhor Ghat Highway Traffic Branch stated that on regular days, around 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles use the Mumbai–Pune Expressway. However, during weekends, the number crosses one lakh, leading to inevitable congestion under the current road conditions.
Relief is expected with the completion of the ‘Missing Link’ project between Kusgaon Budruk and the Khopoli exit. The project, likely to be completed by the end of May, is expected to reduce travel time by 15 to 20 minutes and could prove to be a long-term solution to recurring traffic jams in the ghat section.
Meanwhile, commuters have expressed strong dissatisfaction over inadequate planning and insufficient traffic police deployment, demanding better management to prevent such situations during peak travel periods.