Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday took serious note of Mumbai-Pune Expressway chaos, the massive traffic congestion caused by the overturning of a gas tanker at Borghat, which led to severe inconvenience for motorists, reported the IANS.
Shinde has directed the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and the police to prepare a special emergency traffic management plan for the Mumbai-Pune Expressway to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
The gas tanker overturned at around 5 pm on February 3, resulting in the leakage of highly flammable propylene gas.
Given the heightened risk of explosion and potential large-scale damage, authorities had no option but to divert traffic.
Consequently, vehicles on the expressway were rerouted to the old Mumbai-Pune highway. After nearly 20 hours of continuous efforts, MSRDC and police personnel succeeded in controlling the gas leak, according to the IANS.
Understand the difficulties faced
Shinde said he was aware of the difficulties being endured by the people.
“The MSRDC immediately sought assistance from the National Disaster Response Force. Despite their efforts, the operation was extremely challenging, and the risk to human life could not be ruled out,” he said, as per the IANS.
He added that MSRDC arranged large quantities of drinking water and biscuits for stranded passengers and that all officers and staff were deployed on the ground. Shinde also instructed authorities to suspend toll collection on the expressway until traffic normalises.
Mumbai-Pune Missing Link project
Additionally, he directed the department to expedite the completion of the Mumbai-Pune Missing Link project. Once operational, the project will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune and provide an alternative route during emergencies, he said.
Following detailed discussions with MSRDC and police officials, Shinde asked them to draw up a comprehensive emergency response plan for the expressway.
Emergency Response Plan activated
Meanwhile, MSRDC stated that its Emergency Response Plan (ERP) was activated immediately after receiving information about the accident on the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway, the news agency reported.
To minimise inconvenience to motorists, temporary toll-free entry and exit facilities were provided at affected toll plazas.
A team of chemical experts successfully sealed two gas leakage points on the tanker, while the third leak has largely been brought under control.
MSRDC further informed that the process of transferring the gas from the damaged tanker to a secure tanker began at 5 pm on Wednesday.
Once completed, the tanker will be removed and traffic on the Mumbai-bound carriageway will be restored, the IANS reported.
(with IANS inputs)
