Maharashtra: Vehicles on Samruddhi Mahamarg suffer punctures after iron sheets fall onto the road in Washim district, causing a major traffic jam | File Photo
Mumbai: Commuters on the 701-km Hinduhrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg (HBTMSM) that connects the capital city of Mumbai with the second capital Nagpur, faced a panic situation on the night of Sunday, December 29, when 10-15 vehicles developed punctures after passing over an iron board that had fallen onto the road.
The incident took place at around 10 pm between the Malegaon and Vanoja toll plazas in Washim district, affecting both four-wheelers and cargo trucks, and resulting in a significant traffic jam.
Commuters found themselves stranded on the highway overnight as assistance took a considerable amount of time to arrive. This incident adds to growing concerns about safety on the high-speed corridor.
In June, a tragic collision between two cars on the Samruddhi Mahamarg near Kadwanchi village in Jalna district resulted in the deaths of at least six people and injuries to four others.
Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Nagpur, Yashwant Solanke said, “On the Nagpur Corridor at CH no 223, a truck bearing registration number NL 01AE7143 was traveling from Mumbai to Nagpur on the HBTMSM when some iron sheets fell from the truck onto the road, causing an estimated 10 to 15 four-wheelers to drive over them. As a result, several vehicles experienced tyre punctures. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported. The affected drivers received assistance from roadside repair services to fix the punctured tires.”
“The iron sheets were removed from the road with the help of a crane, and traffic resumed smoothly. Contrary to some reports, this incident was not caused by nails being thrown on the road. Highway police officers promptly arrived at the scene to manage the situation and ensure safety,” Solanke added.
Construction of the HBTMSM began in January 2019. While the first 625 km stretch, connecting Nagpur and Shirdi, was inaugurated in December 2022, the second 105 km segment between Shirdi and Bharvir (Igatpuri) started operations in May 2023.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) had announced that the 76-kilometer stretch would be open to the public by December 2024, but an official confirmed that it has been delayed and the remaining work would be completed within the next two months, emphasizing that the pending tasks are primarily finishing touches.
Additionally, MSRDC will establish around 10 public utility services along the HBTMSM, including petrol pumps, eateries, and other amenities. The expressway, designed for a speed of 150 kmph, features a Greenfield alignment.
The Maharashtra government announced this ambitious super communication expressway project on November 30, 2015. Construction was carried out simultaneously along the 701-kilometer stretch, divided into 16 packages.
