Traffic on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad National Highway (NH-48) has been paralysed for five consecutive days, stranding thousands of commuters and truck drivers for hours. Vehicles have been inching forward near Vasai and Palghar, causing chaos that has left people missing flights, trains, and medical appointments.
The gridlock has exposed serious flaws in traffic management and road planning. From ambulances stuck in long lines to families waiting overnight in vehicles, frustration has boiled over across Maharashtra’s busiest highway.
Officials said the crisis began when heavy vehicles were diverted from the Ghodbunder Highway in Thane due to repair work. The diverted load choked NH-48, already stretched with daily traffic connecting Mumbai, Thane, and Gujarat.
Why Mumbai–Ahmedabad Highway Jammed?
NH-48 is one of India’s most important roads, linking the financial capital Mumbai with Gujarat, a major industrial hub. Every day, thousands of trucks and private vehicles travel on this route. Yet, the highway remains in poor shape, dotted with potholes, bottlenecks, and unfinished expansion projects.
For residents of Vasai–Virar, it’s the only route to reach Mumbai. Alternate options like the Ro-Ro ferry service often see queues of more than 100 vehicles, forcing travellers to spend up to five extra hours on the road. Elderly residents and daily commuters, unable to rely on trains, have no choice but to endure the jam.
Experts say the congestion reflects a larger failure in coordination. While new expressways and metro lines are being completed elsewhere, NH-48 continues to suffer from outdated planning and delayed maintenance.
Meanwhile, traffic police have struggled to manage the overflow of vehicles diverted from nearby highways. With no alternate route ready, even a short delay in repair work has led to days of disruption.
Without food, students trapped overnight
The jam turned into a nightmare for hundreds of schoolchildren on Tuesday. Twelve school buses carrying students from Mumbai and Thane were stuck in traffic near Virar for nearly 12 hours, from 5.30 pm Tuesday until early Wednesday morning.
The children, returning from a picnic, were without food or water for hours. Many became exhausted and frightened as night fell. Parents waited anxiously for updates, unable to reach the spot.
Volunteers from a local social group arrived later in the night to distribute water and biscuits to the stranded students and help drivers navigate through the congested lanes. “The students were crying due to hunger and exhaustion. It was heartbreaking to see them suffer because of poor traffic management,” one activist told PTI.
Public outrage and online reaction
The chaos has sparked anger on social media, with many calling out officials for mishandling the situation.
User @sandipsabharwal wrote on X: “A few years ago, I drove from Mumbai to Udaipur in nine hours. Yesterday my nephew took 19 HOURS. They were stuck for five hours after Vasai due to road repairs. Terrible situation overall.”
Another commuter demanded better planning: “Why not stop heavy transport for a day and allow only essential goods until the roadwork is done?”
Others expressed sheer disbelief. “We can’t even think of going towards Virar, forget Ahmedabad,” one user said. Another suggested drastic action: “NH48 and Western Express Highway should be handed over to the Army.”
As the jam enters its fifth day, commuters are running out of patience. For many, the Mumbai–Ahmedabad highway has turned from a crucial lifeline into a symbol of poor management and endless delays.
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