Mumbai-Pune Expressway Saw Traffic Nightmare On Christmas Weekend

The Mumbai-Pune Expressway known for its efficiency and connectivity recently faced a major setback as a surge in vehicles resulted in numerous breakdowns, leaving commuters stranded and frustrated. The incident, which occurred just a day before Christmas Eve, prompted social media users to share videos and express concerns about the unprecedented situation.

Videos circulated on social media platforms showcased a distressing scene on the expressway, with several vehicles parked on the side of the road, bonnets open and a common culprit identified: burning clutch plates. One account posted a video, urging Punekars and Mumbaikars to prefer public transport and avoid unnecessary travel on this route. The user warned of potential worsening traffic conditions and predicted new records for congestion on the expressway.

Comments from concerned users flooded the posts, with some attributing the breakdowns to a lack of knowledge among vehicle owners. A user emphasised the importance of turning off air conditioning while navigating the ghat sections, suggesting that it could prevent trouble.

Another expressed surprise at the unusually high number of breakdowns, citing the common occurrence of traffic jams during long weekends and holidays but not on this scale.

“Strange and unbelievable,” commented a social media user.

Amidst the public concern, technology entrepreneur Amit Paranjape provided valuable insights into the potential reasons behind the breakdowns. In a detailed post, Paranjape outlined key recommendations for commuters to avoid breakdowns on the expressway:

Emphasising the need for proper clutch usage, Paranjape highlighted the impact of constant engine revving in heavy traffic on engine overheating and clutch plate wear.

Advising small car owners to minimise AC load while ascending steep ghats, he suggested switching it off to alleviate stress on the engine.

Stressing on the importance of regular maintenance, Paranjape noted that reliability in city driving may not necessarily translate to highway conditions.

Cautioning against overloading, he recommended adhering to the specified weight limits for vehicles.

Encouraging commuters to perform basic checks such as tire air pressure, tire condition and coolant levels before embarking on a highway drive.

Highlighting the importance of paying attention to diagnostic alerts, Paranjape mentioned that cars often provide warnings before a breakdown, such as an engine coolant temperature.

Earlier, in anticipation of the Christmas holiday traffic, Additional Director General (Traffic) Ravinder Kumar Singal had released a vital advisory. Singal advised owners of heavy vehicles to steer clear of the expressway between 6 AM and 12 PM from Saturday to Monday, reported Free Press Journal.