Roadwork and disabled containers triggered severe traffic congestion on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway on Friday, September 4, leaving motorists stranded for hours between the Versova Bridge and Maljipada in Vasai-Virar, according to a report by Loksatta – Vasai-Virar.
The congestion affected both carriageways during the morning rush. On the Mumbai-bound side, traffic moved slowly from the Ghodbunder Road area through Sassoonvघर and Maljipada, while vehicles travelling towards Gujarat and Vasai also faced prolonged delays. The highway is a key road link connecting Mumbai, Thane, Vasai-Virar, Mira-Bhayandar, Palghar and Gujarat.
Traffic movement towards Mumbai was disrupted near Kashimira, where road repair work was under way. Vehicles travelling in both directions were being managed through a single lane, narrowing the available carriageway and reducing speeds. The restriction contributed to long queues during the morning peak period.
On the Gujarat-bound side, two large containers reportedly broke down near Kutch Darbar and at a location farther along the highway. The vehicles obstructed traffic and added to the disruption on a route already carrying heavy commuter and freight movement.
The congestion affected office workers, schoolchildren and residents travelling for essential work. By evening, the traffic disruption was still being reported on parts of the highway, with nearby villages and settlements also facing delays in their daily movement.
The report also said that some motorists attempted to drive against the direction of traffic to leave the congestion. The manoeuvre further disrupted traffic and created additional risks for motorists and passengers using the highway.
Traffic police were working to restore movement, including removing the disabled containers and preventing vehicles from travelling in the wrong direction. Authorities were also managing traffic near the Versova Bridge, where vehicles travelling from Vasai towards Mumbai and Thane were reportedly being held to ease congestion in the Mira-Bhayandar area.
The traffic controls resulted in a reported 10-kilometre stretch of heavy congestion between Kajupada and Bapane Phata. Sushant Shrikant Patil, president of the Bhoomiputra Foundation, said that traffic on other routes should not remain blocked for hours whenever road repairs or accidents affect one section of the highway. He called for an immediate administrative solution and separate planning for heavy vehicles.
The highway has faced recurring complaints about waterlogging, potholes, accidents and congestion in recent years, according to the report. For Friday’s disruption, traffic police’s immediate tasks were to clear the disabled containers, manage lane restrictions and restore movement on the affected sections.
