Pimpri-Chinchwad: Heavy traffic congestion brought vehicular movement to a near standstill on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway on Friday morning, with long queues reported on the Khandala Ghat stretch and in the Lonavala area. Commuters remained stuck for hours, raising fresh concerns over recurring bottlenecks on one of Maharashtra’s busiest highways.

The traffic jam occurred on the day when the much-anticipated Mumbai-Pune Missing Link project was set to be inaugurated. The project is expected to reduce travel time and ease congestion in the Ghat section. However, the situation on the ground told a different story, as vehicles remained stranded even before the formal opening.

Several travellers reported delays of over two hours. Commuters reported that traffic was heavy in both lanes towards Lonavala. After the Lonavala area and the ghat were passed, the traffic congestion situation was better. Visuals from the scene showed long lines of vehicles stretching across the hillside, with no clear signs of traffic easing.

Among those caught in the jam was Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) MP from Baramati, Supriya Sule, who was travelling from Mumbai to Pune. She recorded a video from her car showing the extent of the congestion. In the footage, vehicles can be seen lined up across lanes with little to no movement.

Speaking about the situation, Sule said that people, including children and senior citizens, had been stuck for hours. She noted that from her vantage point in the Ghat, not a single vehicle appeared to be moving. She added that while the view might look scenic, it was causing serious inconvenience to commuters.

Sule said it was unclear whether the inauguration event of the Missing Link project had contributed to the traffic jam. She pointed out that congestion in the Ghat is a daily issue, but the scale of the delay on Friday was severe, with people stranded for nearly two hours without movement.

She also highlighted that such delays have become routine for travellers on this route. According to her, the time taken to cross the Ghat varies widely, sometimes taking just 20 minutes and at other times extending to two hours or more.

Sule urged the government and police authorities to take immediate steps to manage the situation. She called for better traffic control and deployment of additional personnel if needed. She stressed that the issue affects thousands of daily commuters and requires a long-term solution.

Authorities are yet to officially confirm the exact cause of the congestion. However, netizens on social media have claimed that as this is a long weekend due to Labour Day, many people are going to Lonavala and Khandala for a trip. Meanwhile, commuters continue to face delays, underlining the urgent need for effective traffic management on the expressway, especially during peak travel periods.

Mumbai, May 1: On the occasion of Maharashtra Day, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday addressed the state, balancing a vision of rapid industrial growth with a warning for the agricultural sector regarding the upcoming monsoon. Citing Meteorological Department forecasts, CM Fadnavis advised that the El Niño effect might lead to below-average rainfall for the 2026 season.

“Our Kharif season is entirely dependent on rain. I urge farmers to take these forecasts seriously. Do not rush into sowing operations. Please wait and follow the specific instructions issued by the Agriculture Department to avoid crop failure,” he cautioned.

To mitigate the impact of a potential dry spell, the CM assured that the government has already initiated planning for water and fodder management. He announced prioritised funding for Jalyukt Shivar & Galyukt Shivar, micro irrigation and resource supply.

“The government will speed up water conservation and desilting projects, encourage the widespread use of drip and sprinkler irrigation and ensure there is no shortage of seeds or fertilisers across the state,” he said.

Further, CM Fadnavis highlighted Maharashtra’s position as a leader in infrastructure, noting that 173 km of Metro lines are currently operational across Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur. He pledged an addition of 50 km to the Metro network every year.

“Maharashtra Day is not just a celebration but a day for introspection. We must evaluate where we were, where we are, and how much further we have to go,” Fadnavis stated.

He emphasised that the state contributes nearly 14 per cent to India’s GDP and remains the top destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), securing Rs 1,64,875 crore in 2024-25—roughly 39 per cent of India’s total FDI.

He also pointed to the state’s success at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where MoUs worth Rs 30 lakh crore were signed, aiming to generate 40 lakh jobs. “Even amid global economic instability, Maharashtra has leapt forward to become the world’s 30th largest economy,” he added.

Looking towards the future, CM Fadnavis reiterated the state’s commitment to the ‘Developed Maharashtra’ road map. He set a target for Maharashtra to become a $5 trillion economy by 2047, aligning with the national vision.

Despite global conflicts and energy crises, he credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in solar energy and fuel security for keeping India stable during turbulent times.

“No matter the natural calamities, the chariot of Maharashtra’s development will not stop,” he concluded, reassuring citizens that the state government stands firmly with them.

Mumbai: In a major action following the fatal Kurla BEST bus crash of December 2024, the transport department has permanently revoked the heavy vehicle (transport) driving licence of driver Sanjay More. His licences for light motor vehicles (LMV) and two-wheelers, however, remain valid.

The decision comes more than a year after the incident on December 9, 2024, when a BEST bus driven by More in Kurla West ploughed into pedestrians and vehicles, killing several people and injuring over 40.

The accident had triggered serious questions over driver screening, training, and safety enforcement within the public transport system. While More was granted bail by the Bombay High Court on March 30, 2026, the criminal case is still pending.

Officials said the action was taken under Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which empowers authorities to suspend or revoke licences of drivers deemed a risk to public safety.

“Driving heavy vehicles carries greater responsibility. Considering the gravity of the incident, the licence has been permanently revoked,” a senior transport official said.

Once revoked, the driver is legally barred from operating that class of vehicle. In cases of suspension, reinstatement is possible only after fulfilling conditions such as mandatory retraining at a recognised institute.

Meanwhile, officials flagged a technical limitation in the Sarathi 4.0 system used for licence management. The platform currently allows only “block”, “suspend” and “cancel” options, with no specific provision for “revocation”.

Authorities from Wadala RTO have written to the commissionerate seeking an update to include this feature, arguing that it would ensure clearer enforcement in serious cases.