Fatal Crashes Kill 3 on Mumbai-Pune Eway

1/ Two separate accidents on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near the Connecting Link killed three people and injured several others on Sunday morning, snarling traffic for thousands of vehicles. The crashes happened at Borghat and the Missing Link tunnel exit, just 10km apart, leading to hours-long gridlock on the 94km six-lane highway. 2/ The first crash at 5:30am involved a speeding truck that lost control at Borghat, a steep downhill curve notorious for accidents, and collided head-on with an oncoming tanker. The truck driver, identified as Suresh Patil from Nashik, died on the spot; two passengers in the tanker sustained critical injuries and were rushed to Yavat Hospital. Highway police cleared the wreckage by 11am after using cranes. 3/ Just 30 minutes later, at 6am, a passenger car carrying five people veered off the road at the Missing Link tunnel exit, plunging 20 feet into a ditch. Three occupants—Ramesh Kumar (45), his wife Sita (42), and their son Amit (18), all from Mumbai—were killed instantly. The two survivors, including the driver, suffered fractures and are stable at Dasturi Hospital in Lonavala. Eyewitnesses reported the car hit a divider before overturning. 4/ Traffic chaos peaked between 7am and 2pm, with backups stretching 15km towards Mumbai and 10km towards Pune, stranding over 5,000 vehicles including buses and trucks. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) diverted 12 buses, delaying commuters by up to 4 hours. Police deployed 50 personnel to manage diversions via the old highway at Khandala. Normal flow resumed by evening. 5/ The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, opened in 2002 and operated by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), sees 50,000-60,000 vehicles daily, peaking on weekends. Borghat and Missing Link are blackspots: Borghat's 8% gradient causes brake failures in 40% of heavy vehicle crashes here, per police data. The tunnel exit lacks adequate signage, contributing to 15 fatalities in similar incidents since 2023. (; ) 6/ Causes: Police initial probe points to speeding (truck at 90kmph in 60kmph zone) and poor visibility from early mist at Borghat; the car crash likely due to driver fatigue post-night drive from Mumbai. No alcohol involvement confirmed yet; forensic tests pending. MSRDC installed 20 new speed cameras last month, but locals demand rumble strips and better lighting at these spots. 7/ Response: Pune Rural Police filed FIRs under IPC Sections 304A (death by negligence) and 279 (rash driving). Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed Highway Safety Commissioner to submit a blackspot audit by May 25. Relief: Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to each deceased family's kin, announced by District Collector Rajesh Deshmukh. Injured received free treatment. 8/ Broader context: The expressway recorded 142 deaths in 96 accidents last year, up 12% from 2024, mostly trucks (55%) and cars (30%). Weekends see 25% more mishaps due to tourist traffic to Lonavala-Khandala. NHAI plans Rs 150 crore upgrades including AI cameras and emergency lanes by 2027. For now, police urge speeds below 80kmph on curves and no overtaking at Borghat. (; ) 9/ Travelers: Check live traffic via MSRDC app or Highway Patrol helpline 1033. Avoid peak 5-10am slots. End/