Vasai traffic jam conditions worsened on Thursday morning on the Gujarat-bound carriageway of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway, with vehicle queues extending for about five kilometres between Naigaon Bapane Phata and Sassoonavghar in Vasai-Virar. The disruption affected office commuters, workers and school students travelling through the eastern part of the city.
The congestion was reported on the Vasai-Virar-bound side of the highway, after commuters had more commonly faced delays on the Mumbai-Thane carriageway. The sudden slowdown left vehicles moving in long, continuous queues across the stretch between Bapane Phata and Sassoonavghar.
According to the report, potholes in several locations, inadequate traffic planning and illegal parking along the road contributed to the disruption. A particularly large pothole beneath a railway bridge reportedly reduced vehicle speeds and caused traffic to build up behind it.
The congestion also created a risk of further disruption when some motorists attempted to drive in the opposite direction on the Mumbai-Thane carriageway. Such manoeuvres raised the possibility of traffic being obstructed on both sides of the highway.
The prolonged delay led to frustration among local residents and regular highway users, who have sought immediate repairs to the potholes and more disciplined traffic management on the route. The affected corridor is a key road connection through the eastern side of Vasai-Virar and is used by daily commuters travelling for work, education and other activities.
Traffic police were working to remove obstructions from the road and restore normal movement, according to the report. Local residents and regular commuters have called for urgent road repairs and measures to prevent illegal parking and manage vehicle movement along the congested stretch.
