Thane traffic disrupted after multi-vehicle crash at Gaimukh Ghat, Ghodbunde; four injured
Traffic movement on Ghodbunder Road in Thane (West) came to a standstill on Friday morning after a major multi-vehicle accident near Gaimukh Ghat on National Highway 48 (NH-48). The collision, which involved at least a dozen vehicles, left four people injured and caused long delays during peak office hours.
Officials said the accident occurred around 7 am near the Gaimukh Toll Naka, a busy stretch connecting Thane with Borivali and the Mumbai–Gujarat route. A heavy container truck carrying cement bags was reportedly descending the ghat towards Thane when it lost control and crashed into vehicles coming from the opposite direction.
According to disaster management officials, the truck was carrying an estimated 35 to 40 tonnes of cement. After the collision, the driver allegedly fled the scene, and police have begun efforts to trace him.
Emergency teams from the Thane Municipal Corporation’s Disaster Management Cell, the fire brigade, traffic police, and Kasarvadavli police station rushed to the spot with cranes and towing vehicles. Several cars, an auto-rickshaw, and the container truck suffered significant damage.
Four people were taken to Titan Hospital in Owla for treatment. Police identified the injured as an auto-rickshaw driver who sustained serious head injuries, a car driver with injuries to the waist, and two passengers who suffered minor facial injuries. Some occupants of other vehicles involved reportedly sought treatment at private hospitals on their own.
The accident led to oil spilling onto the road surface, increasing the risk of further mishaps. Fire brigade personnel spread soil over the affected stretch to prevent skidding, while traffic police diverted vehicles and worked to clear the congestion.
Traffic on both carriageways of Ghodbunder Road remained heavily affected for nearly two hours, with long queues reported on routes towards Borivali and Gujarat. Commuters faced delays as the incident coincided with the morning rush.
Once the damaged vehicles were removed and the road was cleaned, traffic movement was gradually restored, officials confirmed. Police said a detailed inquiry is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident and to locate the absconding truck driver.
The incident has once again highlighted safety concerns along the Gaimukh Ghat stretch, which is known for heavy vehicle movement and sharp curves. Authorities have urged drivers, especially those operating heavy vehicles, to exercise caution while navigating the ghat section.
