Major Traffic Crisis on Mumbai-Pune Expressway; Direct Entry by Raj Thackeray, Tough Questions for the Government

On the Pune-Mumbai Expressway, near the Adoshi tunnel, a gas tanker overturned, causing immense trouble for travelers. The highway remained blocked for a day and a half. There were long queues of vehicles. Cars did not move for many hours. The lack of water, food, crying children, and the darkened road caused a literal standstill for the travelers.

After this incident, MNS President Raj Thackeray criticized the government on social media. He stated that although the budget announced a Mumbai-Pune high-speed train, the current travel should first be made safe and smooth. He also firmly demanded that the toll collected from the vehicles stuck during this period should be refunded by the government.

Raj Thackeray writes,

"The Mumbai-Pune Expressway was stalled for nearly 32 hours. Passengers faced extreme inconvenience. And as usual, the government only ordered an inquiry into the matter. Many inquiries are conducted for such incidents. Does the government or administration learn anything from them? That is the question. On Tuesday, February 3, around 5 PM, a gas tanker overturned. Subsequently, as a safety measure, traffic was halted, which was appropriate. But does the administration have an action plan ready to clear the road in the shortest possible time if such incidents occur? This expressway was established under the inspiration of the late Balasaheb, and 24 years have passed since then. But during this time, was there any consideration of what disasters could occur, or was it ensured that the entire road remains of excellent quality?"

"In the meantime, the only thing done promptly was toll collection. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's toll movement was not about collecting tolls. It was about what facilities the government and the toll-collecting company provide to travelers if tolls are collected. After yesterday's incident, the question remains whether the government's responsibility ends with building roads and collecting tolls. In the recent budget, the announcement of the Mumbai-Pune high-speed train was made. It will happen when it happens. But before that, make the Mumbai-Pune journey smooth. Nowadays, no one can guarantee how many hours the Mumbai-Pune journey will take. On one hand, it is said that Mumbai and Pune are the engines of the state's and the country's development, and on the other hand, it is incomprehensible to watch calmly as traffic between these two cities comes to a standstill for 32 hours. The toll collected from travelers during this period should be returned by the government. And instead of making a farce of inquiries, a plan of action should be prepared and presented to the public on what other incidents can occur and how immediate measures can be taken. There are guardian ministers in the government, and in this government, there are disputes over the position of guardian minister. Despite having a government so eager for guardianship, why is the situation arising where citizens feel abandoned? The government must think about this. Raj Thackeray."