Extended weekend causes heavy traffic jam on Mumbai-Pune E-way

A huge traffic jam was seen on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway starting early Friday as hoards of people from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas headed for the comparatively cooler climes of Lonavala and Pune to make the most of the extended weekend.

A long, snaking line of vehicles could be seen at Khalapur and Toll Plaza sections of the highway. According to the traffic police, the flow of vehicles on the Expressway started increasing in the intervening night of Thursday and Friday only. Friday being a holiday due to Maharashtra Day and Monday again being one due to Buddha Purnima, citizens had packed their bags to enjoy the extended weekend, they added.

To add to the woes of holidayers in cars, a number of trailers and trucks got on to the Expressway, thereby aggravating the situation. The traffic became so heavy that the traffic cops had to call the local police from Khopoli.

Mumbai-Pune Road traffic inspector Samadhan said, "From Thursday night we have observed so many motorists taking this road for holidaying. In the morning, the problem began when big vehicles like trucks and trailers took time going up the Bor Ghat, causing a long line of vehicles behind them."

Although no untoward incident happened during the night or day, people caught in the jam suffered a lot because of the heat, said a traffic cop.