Swift Response Amidst Chaos
Following a severe traffic standstill on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway that left numerous motorists in distress since Tuesday evening, Deputy Chief Minister
Sunetra Pawar issued urgent instructions late Wednesday afternoon. She directed Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) operatives to mobilize and offer the utmost assistance to those affected by the gridlock. In response, a contingent of 18 to 20 NCP members from the Pimpri-Chinchwad area swiftly organized a relief operation. They utilized motorcycles to navigate the impassable expressway, carrying an estimated 2,000 food packets and an equivalent number of water bottles, as the presence of four-wheeled vehicles was impossible due to the severe congestion. This immediate mobilization showcased a dedicated effort to alleviate the suffering of stranded travelers during a challenging situation.
Navigating Logistical Hurdles
The path to reach the stranded travelers was fraught with significant challenges for the NCP workers. Initially, they encountered a complete halt in traffic on the expressway, rendering their movement impossible. Furthermore, police restrictions prevented them from proceeding forward easily. Despite these obstacles, they managed to push ahead, but the sheer pandemonium caused by the standstill on the Pune-Mumbai highway added considerably to their difficulties. Seema Sawale, a former corporator and ex-chairperson of the PCMC standing committee, recounted the arduous journey. She explained that after receiving directives from the Deputy Chief Minister's office on Wednesday, the team first had to procure and pack the food supplies. This involved extensive efforts across Pimpri-Chinchwad to gather the necessary items before they could even begin their transport. The group utilized one four-wheeler and several two-wheelers for the operation.
The Challenging Route
The route taken by the NCP relief team was far from straightforward, requiring them to adapt to the extreme traffic conditions. Sawale described how, due to the blocked expressway, they had to divert from the Bor Ghat police chowky area and instead proceed along the Pune-Mumbai highway. Their journey took them through localities such as Jambhulgaon, Khadkale, and Kane, aiming to get as close to Lonavala as possible. At one point, they were compelled to abandon their four-wheeler in the Kanhe region. From there, they navigated through internal routes of Talegaon before finally reaching Wadgaon. This segment of the operation highlights the innovative and determined approach taken by the workers to overcome the physical barriers presented by the traffic jam, demonstrating their commitment to reaching those in need.
Trekking with Supplies
The commitment of the NCP workers was further underscored by their willingness to proceed on foot when necessary. Another NCP leader, Sarang Kamtekar, shared that at certain points, they had to walk for four to five kilometers, carrying the food packets and drinking water bottles by hand. This arduous trek was undertaken while also utilizing two-wheelers, sometimes traveling against the flow of traffic, describing the situation as 'sheer traffic madness'. This image of dedicated individuals trekking through difficult terrain with essential supplies paints a vivid picture of the lengths to which they went to ensure help reached the stranded travelers effectively.
Reaching the Stranded
Upon finally reaching the vicinity of Lonavala, the NCP workers encountered numerous fatigued travelers who had been stuck for an extended period. The situation was particularly challenging for women, many of whom were in private vehicles or buses and had run out of food and water. Accessing basic facilities like restrooms posed significant difficulties, especially during the night when it was unsafe to leave their vehicles. Men were observed sitting outside their vehicles, displaying clear signs of exhaustion, restlessness, and fatigue. The workers distributed the 2,000 food packets and water bottles, offering much-needed sustenance and relief to these weary travelers. The entire relief mission, from departure to return, took approximately five hours to complete.
Return Journey Complications
The return journey for the NCP workers was not without its own set of challenges, as they again found themselves caught in a traffic jam. This secondary bottleneck was caused by an accident involving a tanker that had collided with a trailer. The incident occurred a mere ten minutes before their return path was to be clear. The tanker was reportedly full of petrol, raising concerns about a potentially catastrophic event. Fortunately, a major accident was averted, which would have undoubtedly exacerbated the already dire situation on the expressway. This near-miss highlighted the volatile and unpredictable nature of the conditions faced by both the stranded travelers and the relief teams.
