In a hazardous incident on Sunday morning, a tanker carrying approximately 28,000 litres of hydrochloric acid overturned in the Tamhini Ghat area, causing a major environmental and traffic disruption.
The spill of this highly toxic chemical led to the temporary closure of the Ghat section, a crucial road that connects Pune to Mahad in the Raigad district. While there were no fatalities or major injuries, several passersby reported eye and throat irritation from the chemical leak. The accident took place at around 6:30 AM near Dongargaon village. According to authorities from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), the driver lost control of the tanker while navigating a sharp bend, worsened by dense fog in the region. The vehicle skidded off the road, tipping over and spilling nearly 90% of its hydrochloric acid cargo into a nearby valley. Fortunately, there were no nearby homes, mitigating the risk of widespread contamination or casualties.
Local emergency services were quick to respond, with police and fire brigade teams on the scene shortly after the incident was reported. Due to the nature of the chemical, it was deemed unsafe for traffic to pass through the area until the situation was under control. A five-hour closure of the road followed, from roughly 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM, which caused significant disruption to local traffic. “It was a serious situation, given the hazardous nature of the chemical. Immediate action was necessary to prevent further exposure,” explained a senior PMRDA fire official. “The acid was neutralised with an alkaline solution, and a crane was deployed to upright the tanker. Once the spill was contained, the road was reopened.”
The driver of the tanker, who was trapped in the cabin after the vehicle overturned, was rescued by a group of bus passengers who stopped to assist. He sustained only minor injuries and was provided with medical treatment on-site. Authorities have confirmed that apart from the driver, no other individuals were harmed during the incident. The aftermath of the spill raised concerns about the safety measures in place for transporting hazardous materials through such densely populated and accident-prone areas. The Tamhini Ghat stretch, known for its sharp turns and unpredictable weather conditions, has long been a bottleneck for vehicular traffic, and experts suggest that improved safety protocols and infrastructural upgrades may be necessary to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Environmental advocates also expressed concern about the long-term effects of such spills on the local ecosystem. The proximity of the spill to a valley, a water body likely to be affected by runoff, has led to calls for better enforcement of chemical transport regulations and stronger response strategies in the event of similar emergencies. While the quick actions of local emergency teams and the absence of a larger-scale disaster were fortunate, the incident has underlined the risks involved in the transport of hazardous chemicals on India’s busy roadways. With further investigation into the causes and response measures ongoing, the incident is likely to spur debates on the safety of chemical logistics and the preparedness of local authorities to handle such dangerous situations in the future.
