Ahmedabad-Mumbai highway commuters endured over 24 hours of gridlock as a 15-kilometre traffic jam paralysed movement between Golden Chokdi and Por. Triggered by relentless monsoon rains and worsened by pothole-ridden roads and lane bottlenecks, the jam stranded ambulances, trucks, and private vehicles alike. Authorities faced immense challenges as rainfall continued to weaken road infrastructure and hindered efforts to restore normal traffic flow.
The traffic deadlock affected key stretches near Por and Jambuva, where the six-lane highway narrows into four-lane bridges. These transition points, already prone to congestion, became chokepoints for heavy vehicles navigating damaged roads. Experts noted that the persistent downpour over the past week not only created potholes but also slowed repair efforts. Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, were left stranded, exposing the lack of alternate routes in the region.
On-ground personnel said traffic had been sluggish for days due to the worsening road surface. However, the past three days saw conditions spiral into complete gridlock, particularly when heavy vehicles struggled over pothole-ridden flyovers. Attempts to reroute traffic were ineffective, as consistent rainfall limited options and reduced visibility. Despite temporary diversions and constant monitoring, the sheer volume of vehicles and lack of coordination stalled relief efforts across the affected zone.
Authorities deployed teams across critical flyover points near the approach road to National Expressway-1. Yet, persistent rain and degraded road quality complicated clearance operations. Observers stressed that the bottlenecks at Por and Jambuva have long been known to trigger massive jams, especially during the monsoon. They pointed to the urgent need for durable road upgrades and weather-resilient traffic infrastructure to prevent such yearly disruptions across one of the country’s busiest highways.
Commuters reported waiting overnight in their vehicles with no food, water, or access to rest stops. With no alternate bypass routes or emergency evacuation corridors, many were left at the mercy of weather and road conditions. Traffic teams worked through the night, but clearing such a long jam proved difficult without immediate structural improvements. Experts argue this episode must serve as a wake-up call for monsoon-preparedness on high-volume national corridors.
The Ahmedabad-Mumbai highway crisis reveals a recurring monsoon failure: fragile infrastructure unable to withstand rain-induced damage. As traffic authorities struggle to clear the backlog, commuters face mounting frustration. Without robust contingency planning, improved drainage, and durable roadwork, this crucial highway corridor risks becoming a seasonal disaster zone. The gridlock highlights the urgent need for infrastructure reforms and better preparedness ahead of India’s unpredictable monsoons.
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