Smooth Traffic Returns on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway After Days of Chaos

National News: The Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway (NH-48) finally saw traffic movement on Thursday after days of traffic snarls. Long queues had left people stranded, frustrated, and at times, helpless for hours. Ambulances were stuck in long queues, and many passengers missed flights and trains, highlighting the long-standing infrastructure problems of this busy highway.

Roadwork Causes Long Delays

At Gayamukh Ghats in Thane, repair work has been going on, and authorities had said heavy vehicles would be banned for three days, with diversions in place. Despite this, many trucks and buses continued using the highway, causing huge traffic jams. Commuters reported being stuck for five to eight hours, and emergency vehicles struggled to move through the crowded road.

Years of Traffic Troubles

This is not the first time NH-48 has faced such problems. For the last seven to eight years, travelers have dealt with similar congestion. The initial delays started during Versova Bridge repairs and the construction of a new bridge, which caused long-term jams for two to three years. Monsoon rains make things worse, filling potholes with water and weakening the road surface once the rain stops. Even after the government spent Rs 600 crore to improve the highway with cement-concrete, traffic problems continue, leaving commuters tired and disappointed.

A Vital but Struggling Route

NH-48 connects Maharashtra and Gujarat and is very important for trade and travel. While other regions are seeing fast development with expressways, tunnels, and metro projects, this highway continues to trouble daily travelers. For people in Vasai-Virar, it is the main route to Mumbai. Alternatives like the Ro-Ro ferry often have long queues of 100–125 vehicles, meaning commuters need to plan extra travel time. Older residents who cannot use trains rely entirely on this congested highway.

Hopes on the Mumbai-Delhi Expressway

People are looking forward to the Mumbai-Delhi Expressway, which could reduce traffic on NH-48. However, construction has been slow, leaving residents of Vasai-Virar, Palghar, and Dahanu still waiting. Meanwhile, daily traffic jams cause pollution, waste fuel, and lead to economic losses. Local businesses along the highway are also affected, as travelers avoid stopping at roadside hotels and shops.