Over the busy Christmas weekend, more than 100 cars faced a common problem – their clutch plates burnt out while traveling on two main sections of the Mumbai-Pune highways. The Saimal to Dasturi part of the Mumbai-Pune national highway had over a hundred cars experiencing this issue. Additionally, a dozen or so cars had similar troubles on the Dheku village stretch of the Mumbai-Pune expressway between Friday evening and Sunday night.
This sudden surge in car problems caused significant disruption on the highways, leading the highway safety patrol to deploy towing vans to clear the way for traffic heading toward Pune. Around 25 mechanics rushed to the Ghat section of the expressway to help these affected cars. These mechanics were busy providing services to repair the damaged cars, primarily focusing on replacing the burnt clutch plates. However, this repair work didn't come cheap and cost the owners a minimum charge of Rs 6,000 for replacing the damaged clutch plates.
For some unfortunate cars, the situation escalated to the point where towing vans had to transport them to garages in Khopoli for more extensive repairs beyond just fixing the clutch plates.
The burnt-out clutch plates caused a lot of trouble for drivers and passengers, leading to unexpected delays and financial burdens due to the sudden need for repairs. These incidents highlighted the importance of ensuring proper vehicle maintenance, especially before embarking on long trips during peak travel periods.
The Saimal to Dasturi section of the Mumbai-Pune national highway, known for its beautiful yet challenging terrain, might have contributed to the overheating of the clutch plates due to the demanding driving conditions.
The exact cause behind the unusually high number of burnt clutch plates remains unclear. Nevertheless, these incidents should serve as a reminder for all car owners to prioritize regular maintenance checks for their vehicles. Such checks can significantly reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns, especially when traveling through demanding terrains or during peak travel times like the holiday season.
To sum up, the Christmas weekend rush on the Mumbai-Pune highways brought unforeseen challenges for many drivers, emphasizing the vital importance of keeping vehicles well-maintained and ready to tackle unexpected disruptions during festive periods and busy travel seasons.