Pune, 4th February 2026: Traffic on the Mumbai-bound side of the Mumbai–Pune Expressway was disrupted for more than 12 hours after a tanker carrying propylene gas overturned near the Adoshi Tunnel on Tuesday evening. The prolonged closure caused severe inconvenience to commuters, with long queues of vehicles stretching for kilometres.
The accident occurred around 5 pm when the tanker, travelling from Pune towards Mumbai, lost control on a curve near the tunnel entrance and toppled onto its side. Soon after, authorities detected a leakage of propylene, a highly inflammable industrial gas, raising concerns about a possible explosion.
A senior highway police officer said the nature of the cargo made the situation extremely sensitive. “The tanker was transporting propylene, which is highly flammable. After the leakage was confirmed, full emergency safety protocols were implemented immediately,” the officer said.
To avoid any risk to motorists, traffic towards Mumbai was completely stopped, while Pune-bound vehicles were allowed to move only under strict regulation and monitoring. Emergency teams from Borghat Police, IRB Highway Police, Devdoot emergency services, Help Foundation volunteers, and the Khopoli Fire Brigade rushed to the spot.
Firefighters worked overnight to contain the leak and secure the tanker. A specialised technical team was later deployed to seal the leakage and safely handle the hazardous material. Additional police personnel were stationed around the Adoshi Tunnel as a precautionary measure.
The incident resulted in massive traffic snarls, forcing many travellers to wait for hours, while some turned back midway. Authorities advised motorists to avoid the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and use alternate routes until the situation is fully resolved.
Officials said traffic will be restored only after the tanker is secured and the area is declared safe. Further updates are expected as containment and clearance operations continue.
