On the night of December 29, a chaotic situation unfolded along the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Highway when over 50 vehicles, including cars and cargo trucks, suffered punctured tires after driving over an iron board that had fallen onto the road. The incident took place around 10 pm, between the Malegaon and Vanoja toll plazas in the Washim district. The unexpected obstacle led to a long traffic jam, with vehicles stranded for several hours due to the damage caused.
Commuters Stranded Overnight
In addition to the punctured tires, the situation left many commuters stranded on the highway overnight, as no immediate assistance arrived to clear the blockage or help with the repairs. The incident raised concerns regarding the lack of timely support and the impact it had on travellers.
Authorities are investigating whether the iron board fell accidentally or if it was intentionally placed on the road. The timing of the incident, during peak travel hours, only added to the confusion and panic among commuters.
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
@mieknathshinde @Dev_Fadnavis around 25-30vehicles tyre punctured on Samruddhi on the same spot. A detailed forensic investigation is needed of the affected tyres and the pavement to arrive at the probable cause . But does the govt have the will and capability to do so? pic.twitter.com/lrqQffxfD9
— Manish_K (@iam_manishk) December 30, 2024
A Closer Look at the Samruddhi Highway Safety Concerns
This incident comes at a time when the safety of the Samruddhi Highway has been called into question. Just months earlier, in June, a deadly collision occurred near Kadwanchi village in the Jalna district, involving two cars, which led to six deaths and four injuries. This raised alarms about the safety measures in place on this high-speed corridor.
Background of Samruddhi Mahamarg
The Samruddhi Mahamarg, one of India’s longest greenfield road projects, stretches 701 kilometers, connecting Mumbai to Nagpur. This partially functional six-lane expressway, which was built at a cost of Rs 55,000 crore, aims to reduce travel time significantly between these two major cities. While it promises to enhance connectivity, the recent incident sheds light on ongoing concerns related to highway safety and infrastructure maintenance.
Authorities have vowed to look into these safety issues, as commuters continue to voice concerns about the infrastructure’s reliability.
