Mumbai-Pune Expressway Gas Tanker Accident: MSRDC Issues Update on Propylene Leak

Lonavala, 4th February 2026: A major accident involving a chemical gas tanker brought Mumbai-bound traffic on the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway to a standstill for hours after a propylene gas leak near the Adoshi Tunnel in the Borghat stretch on Tuesday evening. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) said the leak has now been largely contained and efforts are underway to transfer the gas and clear the site.

According to the Primary Accident Report, the tanker, carrying highly inflammable propylene gas from Pune to Mumbai, toppled around 5:00 pm on February 3 at Km 41/200 on the Mumbai corridor. The impact damaged three valve points, triggering multiple leakages.

Given the hazardous nature of the gas, Highway Security Police immediately stopped traffic towards Mumbai for safety reasons. MSRDC deployed Quick Response Vehicles, ambulances, Delta Force, fire-fighting equipment, and manpower to the spot. Additional fire tenders from Tata Steel and Khopoli Nagar Parishad were also pressed into service.

To manage congestion and avoid stranding commuters, authorities implemented a diversion plan. One lane of the Pune corridor was opened for Mumbai-bound vehicles with a shifted median barrier, while traffic towards Pune was allowed on the remaining two lanes. Light vehicles heading to Mumbai were diverted at Km 42/400 (Magic Point) via the old Khopoli highway.

A chemical expert team reached the site at around 8:30 pm on Tuesday, followed by an NDRF team at about 11:30 pm. Initial attempts to stop the leak were unsuccessful due to the nature of the valve damage. However, by Wednesday, the expert team managed to seal two leakage points and significantly minimize the third. The process of transferring gas from the damaged tanker to other tankers is now underway.

MSRDC said it used FM radio and social media to inform commuters about the situation and appealed to the public to avoid non-essential travel and use alternate routes. To prevent further congestion, traffic diversion was also advised at entry points like Kiwale. For stranded motorists, water bottles and biscuit packets were distributed where accessible, and toll-free entry and exit were allowed at plazas to ease the burden.

Once the gas transfer is completed and the tanker is removed as per expert advice, full Mumbai-bound traffic on the expressway is expected to resume, MSRDC Executive Engineer Rakesh Sonwane said.