MSRDC to Enforce Strict Accountability for Hazardous Material Transport on Mumbai-Pune Expressway
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has announced a decisive move to engage directly with companies involved in transporting highly inflammable materials along the crucial Mumbai-Pune expressway. This initiative comes in response to a serious incident that exposed significant safety vulnerabilities on this vital transportation corridor.
Catalyst for Action: The Khandala Ghat Tanker Mishap
The corporation's decision follows the alarming overturning of a propylene tanker near the Adoshi tunnel in the Khandala ghat section this past Tuesday. This accident triggered an unprecedented 32-hour traffic gridlock, stranding thousands of commuters as congestion stretched nearly 50 kilometers at its peak. The massive disruption highlighted critical weaknesses in emergency response and safety protocols for hazardous cargo transportation.
MSRDC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Anil Kumar Gaikwad revealed to TOI on Saturday that the corporation plans comprehensive outreach to all refineries and carriers handling dangerous materials. "Both the consigner and consignee must take complete responsibility for safety while using the expressway," Gaikwad emphasized. "Such consignments must be accompanied by proper escort vehicles and have robust contingency plans for emergencies. While this was a rare incident, it offers important lessons that we cannot ignore."
Government Directives and Investigation Measures
In the aftermath of the mishap, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a detailed inquiry and directed MSRDC to prepare a comprehensive action plan to prevent similar incidents in the future. The corporation will submit a thorough incident report following complete investigation. Beyond contacting refineries directly, MSRDC will formally request highway police to intensify checks on hazardous consignments traveling the expressway.
To systematically address the lapses, MSRDC will establish a special committee chaired by a former president of the Indian Roads Congress from New Delhi. This committee will analyze all aspects of the incident, recommend corrective measures, and develop standard operating procedures for handling similar emergency situations effectively.
Emergency Planning and Infrastructure Development
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has issued specific directives to MSRDC and highway police to develop a specialized emergency traffic management plan for the expressway. Additionally, authorities have been instructed to expedite the long-delayed missing link project, which would serve as an alternative route during crises while reducing overall travel time.
Gaikwad explained that congestion was significantly exacerbated as traffic from the old Mumbai-Pune highway merged onto the expressway during the incident. "Once the missing link is completed, this problem will be resolved," he stated. "We aim to finish the work by March-end and open the stretch by May 1, coinciding with Maharashtra Day." The problematic ghat section between Khopoli exit and Kusgaon spans nearly 19 kilometers and has long been a bottleneck. The 13.2-kilometer missing link is expected to substantially alleviate this chronic congestion issue.
Toll Collection Controversy and Accountability Questions
The incident has sparked significant controversy regarding toll collection practices during major disruptions. Opposition leaders have criticized the government for continuing toll collection while commuters remained stranded for hours following Tuesday's expressway mishap. MSRDC's Gaikwad clarified that toll operators had been instructed to halt collection during the crisis.
With citizens and opposition parties demanding refunds, the government is examining the issue, though no final decision has been made yet. The inquiry will specifically investigate whether toll booths disregarded MSRDC's instructions to suspend collection during the emergency.
Activists have joined the call for refunds, highlighting the absence of a formal policy requiring toll suspension during major traffic jams. Vivek Velankar of Sajag Nagarik Manch argued that there should be an automatic rule mandating toll suspension during heavy jams, noting past instances where people were stranded but tolls were still collected.
Velankar further criticized what he described as a lack of accountability among agencies managing the expressway, suggesting that the government transfers responsibility to toll contractors who collect revenue but avoid accountability when problems occur. The current Mumbai-Pune expressway toll contract remains valid until 2045, with the toll tenure having been fixed in 2018 when the missing link project received approval.
