Silt spill from dumper disrupts traffic on Sion-Panvel highway for three hours

George Mendonca and Sanjeev Devasia

Navi Mumbai: Traffic movement on the north-bound carriageway of the Sion-Panvel Highway near the Vashi toll plaza was partially disrupted for nearly three hours on Saturday morning after a dumper truck carrying silt from Mumbai's desilting works accidentally spilt a large quantity of the material on the roadway.
The incident occurred around 5.30 am on a bridge near Vashi village, where silt was spread across a stretch of nearly 50 metres, making the road surface slippery and hazardous for motorists. Traffic police and Public Works Department (PWD) officials rushed to the spot and undertook a clearance operation.
While the affected lane was barricaded and closed to traffic, vehicles were diverted to the remaining two lanes. The road was fully cleared and reopened around 8.30 am.
Navi Mumbai ACP (Traffic) Vijay Chaudhary said, "The large quantity of silt that fell from the dumper truck made the third lane slippery. The vehicle continued its journey after the spill. To prevent accidents, the Vashi traffic unit immediately barricaded the affected lane. The PWD arranged a JCB machine to clear the road."
Meanwhile, traffic police intercepted another dumper carrying silt from Mumbai near the Vashi toll plaza, and its driver was detained for questioning at the Vashi police station.
A PWD official said that a complaint had been lodged with the Vashi police regarding the incident and that an FIR was being sought against the concerned BMC contractor and the dumper driver.
"The dumpers transporting silt, mud and debris removed during desilting operations in Mumbai were being operated carelessly, resulting in the material being spilt on the Sion-Panvel Highway near Vashi village. Following information received by the Vashi fire brigade, officials inspected the site and found a large quantity of silt and debris spread across the road," the official said.
According to the PWD, at least three to four vehicles reportedly skidded on the slippery stretch, leading to traffic disruption. However, no injuries were reported.
A senior BMC official said that strict action would be taken and a heavy penalty imposed on the contractor responsible. However, officials from the Storm Water Drains (SWD) department said the contractor involved had not yet been identified.
"Contractors have been appointed for all six BMC zones and wards, as well as for the Mithi River. The silt may have spilt when the dumper driver applied sudden brakes. The vehicle was on its way to dump the material at one of the designated disposal sites in Panvel or Mahape," a civic official said.
The PWD official added that this was the second such incident reported on the Sion-Panvel Highway in Vashi this month. Two similar incidents were also reported last month on the Turbhe flyover and in Mankhurd.
The complaint submitted by the PWD describes the incident as an "extremely careless and illegal act" that endangered public safety and put the lives of motorists at risk. It calls for the liability of the dumper driver, vehicle owner, contractor, subcontractor, desilting agency and responsible officials to be determined.
The complaint further seeks action under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Bombay Highways Act, 1955, for negligent and dangerous driving, creating a public nuisance, obstructing traffic, and dumping material on a highway without permission.
According to the PWD, the incident also violates safety standards prescribed by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), which classify the spillage of slippery material on roads as a serious safety hazard.
Senior inspector Shashikant Chandekar of Vashi police station said, "We have received a complaint from the PWD seeking registration of an FIR regarding the silt spill on the Sion-Panvel Highway near Vashi village. The complaint is being examined, and appropriate legal action will be taken under the relevant provisions of law if required."