Traffic backs up on Mumbai’s Western Express Highway after truck overturns at Vile Parle

Accident took place early on Friday; it took five hours to clear the traffic jam, officials said

A truck carrying long metal angles overturned on Western Express Highway early on Friday, affecting traffic severely during the morning peak hours.

The traffic backed up from Vile Parle all the way to Samta Nagar, Kandivli, on Friday morning during the rush hour. (Satish Bate/HT Photo)

It took five hours for the traffic jam to clear, officials said, adding that by 10.30 am, traffic had started easing. Motorists said traffic was so slow that it took them more than 30 minutes to cover barely one kilometre.

The accident took place around 6.30am. The truck, owned by a private firm, was carrying metal angles and heading towards south Mumbai when the driver lost control and the vehicle toppled on the flyover at Vile Parle, on the highway. officials said.

A truck carrying metal angles and heading towards south Mumbai toppled on the flyover at Vile Parle. (Satish Bate/HT Photo)

“We had to use a crane to remove the truck. Till then, traffic was diverted on to the road below the flyover. No one was injured,” said Rajendra Shelke, the Vakola traffic division inspector.

Officials in charge of seven traffic divisions — Vakola, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Sahar, Jogeshwari, Dindoshi, Malad and Kandivli — had to work together as the traffic backed up from Vile Parle to Samta Nagar, Kandivli. “The traffic backlog went all the way up to Samta Nagar, so we made small diversions on the route to ease traffic movement,” said Prakash Thete, inspector at Sahar traffic division.

Traffic officials also diverted a major chunk of traffic from Western Express Highway to SV Road.

Officials have recorded the statement of the driver of the truck.