Container spill of crude glycerin halts traffic in Thane for more than two hours

Traffic on the busy Ghodbunder Road in Maharashtra’s Thane district was disrupted for more than two hours after crude glycerin leaked from a container truck shortly after midnight on Sunday, officials said.

The incident occurred at Gaimukh Ghat, and no injuries were reported. The Thane disaster management cell received information about the leakage at 12.42 am.

According to disaster management cell chief Yasin Tadvi , “The container truck, carrying 25 tonnes of crude glycerin for a private company, was travelling from Ambernath to Gujarat when the liquid began leaking and spilled onto the road surface.”

He added, “Personnel from the traffic police, fire brigade and disaster management cell rushed to the spot. Due to the spillage and precautionary measures, traffic on Ghodbunder Road remained slow for around two-and-a-half hours before it gradually returned to normal.”

Explaining the risks, Tadvi said, “Glycerin reduces friction on the road, making the surface slippery. To prevent skidding and ensure public safety, we spread soil over the spilled liquid, and the leakage from the container was later plugged.”

Authorities clarified that crude glycerin is not classified as a hazardous or flammable substance under existing regulations and does not pose an immediate danger. Due to impurities, it is considered a low-value by-product and is commonly used in the manufacture of soap, animal feed, and in industries such as ceramics, construction, textiles, leather, and coolants.

Tadvi further noted, “The company concerned has been informed about the incident. Incidents like this can be reduced by creating separate routes for commercial vehicles, which would help prevent disruptions and ensure smoother movement for daily commuters.”