Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has expressed concern over a major traffic jam resulting from a gas tanker accident at Borghat on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The incident led to the leakage of flammable propylene gas, necessitating a diversion of traffic to the old highway to avert potential risks.
Shinde has instructed the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and the police to devise a special emergency traffic plan for the expressway to prevent such incidents in the future. Efforts to contain the gas leak, which lasted for 20 hours, were successful, with the leak now under control.
Acknowledging the inconvenience faced by commuters, Shinde emphasized the importance of swift action in such crises. The MSRDC, along with the police, worked tirelessly to address the situation, even seeking assistance from the National Disaster Response Force. Additionally, toll collection on the affected highway has been suspended until normal traffic flow is restored.
MSRDC has activated its Emergency Response Plan following the accident, ensuring toll-free access at relevant plazas for passenger convenience. The transfer of gas from the damaged tanker to a secure one has commenced, paving the way for the removal of the accident-stricken vehicle and the resumption of traffic on the Mumbai canal.
