Heavy rainfall in Palghar district has brought traffic to a crawl on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, affecting thousands of commuters on Thursday. The downpour has created waterlogging at multiple stretches, forcing vehicles to slow down significantly and causing delays of up to two hours in some sections.
Traffic Nightmare on Key Route
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway is one of India’s busiest corridors, connecting the financial capital to Gujarat. When conditions like these hit, it impacts not just daily commuters but also commercial traffic moving goods across states. Vehicles are crawling at speeds below 20 km/hour in affected areas near Palghar, a district that sits right on the highway route.
Authorities report that while no major accidents have occurred yet, the risk remains high. Visibility has dropped due to heavy rain, and several low-lying sections of the road have accumulated water. Trucks and commercial vehicles are particularly vulnerable, with some drivers choosing to pull over and wait it out rather than risk hydroplaning.
What You Should Know If You’re Traveling
If you’re planning to use this highway in the coming hours, expect significant delays. The road remains open, but it’s moving at a snail’s pace. Local traffic police have deployed personnel at trouble spots to manage the flow and prevent accidents.
Commuters heading towards Ahmedabad are being advised to either delay their journey or take alternate routes if possible. The Eastern Express Highway and some state routes offer alternatives, though they may also see increased traffic as people divert. Evening rush hour could make things worse, so timing matters.
The Meteorological Department has warned that the Palghar region will continue to receive heavy showers for the next 24 to 48 hours. This means conditions on the highway won’t improve quickly. The monsoon system currently affecting the region is typical for this season, but intensity varies.
Authorities haven’t announced any road closures yet, which means traffic will continue, just much slower. Emergency services remain on high alert, and tow trucks have been positioned at strategic points to handle breakdowns.
For those already on the road, stay calm and maintain distance from other vehicles. Use headlights even during daytime to improve visibility. If your vehicle starts skidding, don’t panic — ease off the accelerator and steer straight.
The situation is being monitored closely by highway authorities and local administration. As rainfall intensity decreases, traffic should gradually return to normal, but it could take several hours after the rain stops for the roads to completely clear and dry.