Traffic jam on Sion-Panvel highway as Mumbaiites return home after long weekend

The arterial road into the city saw severe traffic jams near Vashi, as people returned from places such as Pune, Alibaug, Matheran and Mahabaleshwar

As thousands of Mumbaiites returned home on Tuesday morning after a long weekend out of the city, the Sion-Panvel highway, the arterial road into the city, saw severe traffic congestions near Vashi.

The situation was bad near Vashi bridge, so officials let vehicles pass without collecting toll for some time on Tuesday morning. (HT File Photo)

People returning from Pune, Alibaug, Matheran, Murud and Mahabaleshwar, among other places, have to use this highway to enter the city.

“The highway saw traffic jams as people returned home. The situation was critical near Vashi bridge, and we had to ask the toll naka authorities to let vehicles pass without collecting toll for some time,” said Satish Gaikwad, senior police inspector of Vashi traffic unit.

A minor accident worsened the situation. “One car smashed into another near the toll naka, and the two parties got into an argument, which worsened the jam as they blocked traffic. No one was injured in the accident. Our officials have resolved the issue,” Gaikwad added.

The Navi Mumbai traffic department said it had deployed additional staff on the highway to manage the traffic.

The traffic cleared considerably after 11.30am.

The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, on the other hand, did not see much congestion on Tuesday.