Chaos on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway: 170 Kids Stuck for Hours
A school picnic turned into a nightmare on Tuesday evening when four buses carrying nearly 170 students were stranded for over six hours in a massive traffic jam on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway, near Thane’s Ghodbunder Road.
The students — all between 10 and 15 years old — were returning to Mumbai from a day trip to a resort in Palghar. The buses left around 5 pm, but just half an hour later, they got stuck in a gridlock that didn’t clear until close to 11 pm.
Parents Panic, Calls Go Unanswered
As the hours dragged on, panic started spreading among parents. The children, tired and hungry, were reportedly left without food or water for hours. Several parents said repeated calls to the police helpline 100 went unanswered.
Frustrated and desperate, many took to social media, tagging ministers, the Mumbai Police Commissioner, and local authorities — but no help came immediately.
“This shows the sad state of our disaster management system,” said Anil Garg, President of the School Bus Association. “Ten years ago, roads were in better shape. Now, corruption and poor planning have made it worse. These children had no food, no water, and no help.”
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Help Arrives Late, but Relief at Last
Finally, after hours of chaos, officers from Naigaon Police Station arrived to assist. The stranded buses were escorted to a nearby hotel, where the children were given food, water, and a place to rest.
Bus operators also stepped in to help — arranging snacks, water bottles, and even access to nearby restaurants and a police chowki’s toilets.
Meanwhile, other buses — including six from a Malad-based junior college — were also caught in the jam.
Why Did This Happen?
According to reports, the traffic chaos may have been caused by unannounced repair work along the stretch. Parents and bus drivers claimed there was no prior warning or signage about the road closure, leaving hundreds of vehicles stuck for hours.
The situation has raised tough questions about infrastructure management and emergency response systems in Maharashtra. Parents are now demanding accountability — and action — so such terrifying incidents don’t repeat.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just another traffic jam story — it’s a wake-up call. A lack of coordination between civic bodies, police, and contractors can quickly turn a routine trip into a potential disaster.
While everyone got home safely this time, parents say the real concern is what could have happened if there had been a medical emergency or extreme weather.
For now, the kids are safe — but the outrage isn’t dying down anytime soon.
