Long Traffic Jam Reported Near Khandala Tunnel on Pune-Mumbai Expressway
Heavy traffic observed on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway before the Khandala tunnel toward Mumbai, causing major delays for motorists.
Pune | October 30, 2025: A massive traffic jam was reported on the Pune–Mumbai Expressway, with vehicles stretching for several kilometres near the Khandala tunnel. The congestion, which started early in the morning, left hundreds of vehicles stranded and slowed traffic movement to a crawl on the busy route toward Mumbai.
Motorists traveling downhill through the ghat section near Khandala faced significant delays as the flow of traffic choked due to lane congestion, merging vehicles, and ongoing road maintenance activities. According to reports from travelers, it took nearly an hour to cross what is typically a 20-minute stretch.
The Khandala ghat section is one of the most accident-prone and congested zones on the expressway, where steep gradients and sharp turns force heavy vehicles to slow down. During the descent, many trucks occupy multiple lanes, leading to bottlenecks and sudden halts. The problem worsens during weekends and festive seasons when vehicle volume increases substantially.
Eyewitnesses noted that long queues of cars, buses, and container trucks were stuck bumper-to-bumper as far back as Lonavala. Some frustrated commuters took to social media to share videos of the gridlock, calling for better real-time traffic management by highway authorities.
Officials have since stepped in to manage the congestion and regulate vehicle movement through the Khandala tunnel. Traffic police deployed extra personnel to direct vehicles and ensure smoother passage. Travelers were advised to remain patient and avoid overtaking in the ghat section, which could further disrupt the flow of vehicles.
Experts say that such traffic snarls are becoming frequent due to an exponential rise in expressway traffic and limited lane capacity. Road safety analysts have emphasized the urgent need for adaptive traffic control systems, real-time digital alerts, and better coordination between expressway operators and local police to prevent future pile-ups.
Meanwhile, highway engineers have been conducting periodic maintenance works in the region to stabilize slopes and improve drainage systems, but partial lane closures during such operations often lead to temporary jams. Officials are expected to review long-term solutions such as additional passing lanes and stricter heavy-vehicle restrictions during peak hours.
The Pune–Mumbai Expressway remains one of India’s busiest highway corridors, connecting Maharashtra’s two major cities and carrying over 1.5 lakh vehicles daily. However, incidents like these highlight the need for enhanced road discipline and better route planning, particularly in the ghat sections prone to frequent slowdowns.
Commuters planning to travel between Pune and Mumbai are advised to check live traffic updates, avoid peak hours, and carry essentials in case of long halts.
