A massive traffic jam along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway left hundreds of commuters stranded for nearly 12 hours this week — sparking widespread outrage. The multi-kilometer gridlock began near Vasai around 5.30 pm on Tuesday and lasted till early on Wednesday morning.
Officials told PTI that the massive traffic jam included twelve buses carrying students from Classes 5 to 10 of different schools as well as some college students from neighbouring Thane and Mumbai. The children, who were returning from a school picnic near Virar, had to remain without food or water for several hours. By night, many students were exhausted, hungry and anxious, while worried parents waited tensely for updates on their children’s safety.
“Our children were left helpless for hours. There was no police, no information, no system in place,” one of the parents claimed.
Members of a local social organisation rushed to the site. They distributed water and biscuits to the stranded children and helped drivers manoeuvre buses through the congested lanes. According to reports, some of the buses carrying students had managed to take a detour, while others inched forward slowly through the jam. The last of the stranded buses reached its destination by 6 am on Wednesday.
“The students were crying due to hunger and exhaustion. It was heartbreaking to see them suffer because of the poor traffic management,” an activist said.
The jam was apparently triggered by the diversion of heavy vehicles due to ongoing repair works on the Ghodbunder highway in Thane, which resulted in excessive traffic load on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, the activist said.
An official from the Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar police control room said there was a massive traffic jam, which was being cleared.
(With inputs from agencies)