12-Hour Traffic Jam on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway Strands 500 Students Without Food or Water

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway in Maharashtra's Palghar district experienced severe traffic congestion that left more than 500 students and commuters stranded for nearly 12 hours, according to officials on Wednesday.

Approximately twelve buses carrying students from Classes 5 to 10 from various schools, alongside college students from neighboring Thane and Mumbai, were caught in the extensive gridlock near Vasai. The congestion began around 5:30 PM Tuesday and continued until early Wednesday morning.

Children returning from a school picnic near Virar were forced to endure several hours without access to food or water during the ordeal.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) for Vasai, Poornima Chowgule-Shringi, reported that efforts to clear the traffic jam were still ongoing.

The severe congestion Tuesday evening resulted in vehicles barely moving forward for extended periods.

As night fell, many students became exhausted, hungry, and anxious, while their concerned parents anxiously awaited updates regarding their children's wellbeing.

Members from a local social organization promptly responded to the situation, distributing water and biscuits to the stranded children and assisting bus drivers in navigating through the congested lanes.

"The students were crying due to hunger and exhaustion. It was heartbreaking to see them suffer because of the poor traffic management," one activist stated.

The traffic jam was reportedly caused by the diversion of heavy vehicles due to ongoing repair works on the Ghodbunder highway in Thane, which substantially increased traffic volume on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route.

An official from the Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar police control room confirmed the massive traffic jam and indicated that clearance efforts were underway.

"The congestion is slowly easing, but movement remains sluggish," the official explained.

Some buses carrying students managed to find alternative routes, while others progressed slowly through the congestion. The final stranded buses reached their destinations by 6 AM Wednesday morning, according to sources.

Parents of the affected children and local residents criticized what they perceived as poor planning and insufficient coordination among authorities.

"Our children were left helpless for hours. There was no police, no information, no system in place," one parent claimed.

Residents have called for immediate corrective measures from the traffic department and civic authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future, particularly when road repairs and traffic diversions are scheduled.