Panic on Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Highway as 50+ Vehicles Suffer Punctures

Mumbai/Nagpur, 1st January 2025: Panic broke out along the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Highway on December 29 after more than 50 vehicles sustained punctures from an iron board that had fallen onto the road. The incident occurred around 10 pm between the Malegaon and Vanoja toll plazas in the Washim district, affecting both four-wheelers and cargo trucks, and causing a significant traffic jam. Commuters were left stranded on the highway overnight as no assistance arrived promptly. Authorities are investigating whether the board fell accidentally or was deliberately placed.

This incident raises further concerns about safety on the high-speed corridor. Earlier in June, a tragic collision between two cars on the Samruddhi Mahamarg near Kadwanchi village in Jalna district resulted in six deaths and four injuries.

The Samruddhi Mahamarg, a 701-km-long, partially operational six-lane expressway, is one of the longest greenfield road projects in India. It connects Mumbai with Nagpur, Maharashtra’s third-largest city, and was built for Rs 55,000 crore.