Maharashtra: Freak Accident Punctures Tyres of 40 Vehicles on Samruddhi Expressway

Nagpur, 31st December 2024: Around 40 vehicles suffered punctured tyres, leaving approximately 150 commuters stranded for hours on the Samruddhi Expressway in Washim district on Sunday night. The incident occurred when the vehicles ran over a large trailer door that had fallen onto the roadway. While no injuries were reported, the incident has raised serious questions about safety measures on the high-speed expressway.

Washim Superintendent of Police, Anuj Tare, confirmed the incident. “A trailer traveling on the expressway had its back door dislodge and fall onto the road. Several vehicles drove over the heavy door, resulting in punctured tyres. Our team promptly responded to remove the door using a crane,” he said.

Commuters expressed concerns over the potential dangers posed by such incidents. “The average speed on the Samruddhi Expressway is between 80 and 100 kmph. If the dislodged door had hit a moving vehicle instead of falling on the road, it could have caused a massive accident or pileup. Even a simple tyre burst at these speeds is hard to control,” one traveler noted.

Many passengers were stranded for hours without food, water, or access to mechanics. Videos of the incident, showing long lines of vehicles parked on the roadside, have gone viral on social media, drawing attention to the need for stricter vehicle inspections before entry onto the expressway.

In an official statement, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), which oversees the expressway, clarified the details of the incident. “The heavy trailer door was found lying on the 100 kmph lane. Upon receiving information, teams from QRV (Quick Response Vehicle), HSP (Highway Safety Patrol), and MSF (Maharashtra Security Force) were dispatched to the site. The door was removed with a crane, and stranded passengers were provided water. Women and children were moved to safety, and a mechanic was brought in from Malegaon to assist with vehicle repairs. Fortunately, no injuries were reported,” the statement read.

While MSRDC called the mishap a rare occurrence, commuters and road safety advocates are urging authorities to enforce stricter vehicle inspections and increase emergency response capabilities to prevent such incidents in the future.