Mumbai, February 28 (NationPress) Maharashtra's Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced in the State Assembly on Saturday that the government plans to implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) and enhance emergency response strategies following a tanker incident on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway that led to a 36-hour traffic jam.

In response to a Calling Attention Motion, Minister Sarnaik revealed that the tanker, carrying highly flammable materials, was properly licensed and subject to regular inspections. However, it overturned after the driver reportedly lost control at a specific section of the Expressway. Although heavy traffic was reported, a major catastrophe was avoided as authorities quickly intervened to prevent any gas leaks or fires that could have resulted in widespread destruction within a 500-metre radius.

Traffic police, alongside officials from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and the Regional Transport Office (RTO), promptly responded to the scene and successfully transferred the flammable cargo to another tanker, according to the Minister.

Aaditya Thackeray, a legislator from Shiv Sena (UBT), raised concerns regarding the preparedness for handling hazardous material transportation, particularly regarding the movement of petroleum and volatile substances by companies like HPCL and BPCL on major highways.

The Minister confirmed that directives have been issued to establish dedicated hazardous-material response units on highways and to fortify fire-fighting measures, including systems for foam, water, and other fire-control resources, especially within tunnels.

Additionally, it was announced that tolls collected during the traffic disruption will be refunded. While manual toll refunds were processed swiftly, over Rs 5 crore collected via FASTag during the 36-hour duration will also be returned to vehicle owners.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the government is considering the feasibility of airlifting damaged tankers in extreme emergencies, similar to practices in other countries. He acknowledged that many transporters currently lack clear SOPs for managing such incidents. The government has instructed companies transporting hazardous materials to maintain sufficient rescue equipment and establish clear emergency protocols.

NCP (SP) legislator Jayant Patil suggested utilizing helicopter services for quick emergency responses during severe traffic congestion. The Chief Minister responded that while helicopters are accessible, operational constraints due to night-flying restrictions exist.

The authorities will enhance the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) to provide real-time information via signboards and SMS alerts to prevent vehicles from entering affected routes during emergencies, as the Chief Minister noted. He assured the assembly that necessary corrective steps would be taken to avoid the recurrence of such incidents.