Hardened chemical led to 8-hour jam on Mumbai-Pune Expressway: Officials

Attempting to clear spilled chemical from an overturned tanker, unwitting highway staff sprayed water on stearin, a hardening agent

When a chemical tanker toppled on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway last week, it triggered a jam. But it turned into a bigger pile-up on the busy carriageway after the highway officials sprayed water on the spilt chemical, which solidified and stuck to the road. Officials said the incident brings to the fore the lack of SOPs for chemical spills and gas leaks on the highways.

Around 5.30 am on March 27, a tanker carrying a chemical overturned near the Amrutanjan Bridge on the E-way, spilling the chemical over 300 metres. As first responders, staff from IRB that manages the E-way reached the spot and tried to wash it away.

Workers repair the road that got damaged while removing the chemical

Officials said the chemical hardened after coming in contact with water. It took about 8 hours to scrape the flakes off the road. Maharashtra Governor who was travelling to Pune also got stuck in the traffic, though the police managed to clear the way for him. Later, they learnt that the chemical was stearin, a hardening agent used in edible oils and in the manufacture of candles and soaps.

Following the unusual experience, traffic authorities have decided to engage experts to train their staff in handling chemical spills and gas leakages on highways which cause long traffic jams. Senior officers from the department said there is a lack of information among the first responders and the traffic staff to deal with such situations. They must take care to ensure that the leaked chemical or gas doesn’t react in any way.

Scene of the mishap on March 27

Sources said traffic officers made the discovery after Additional Directorate General of Traffic Kulwant Sarangal asked his team to get to the root of the massive jam. “We have had a meeting with the officials concerned and the members of IRB. We are examining what exactly is the reason behind this and how the chemical converted into a thin layer after water was sprayed on it. The analysis by the team concerned suggests that it was because of atmospheric reasons,” Sarangal told mid-day.

Kulwant Sarangal, ADG, Traffic

“I have asked my team to collect the details of chemicals and gases which are being transported in Maharashtra from one place to another, so we can take the help of experts in case of such situations as to what is the best way to get it removed as soon as possible. We will also train our people and the first responders with the help of experts which will help us clear the traffic jam as early as possible,” Sarangal added.

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