Negligence on Samruddhi Expressway: Tyres Punctured by Repair Nozzles, Victims Deserve Compensation

Moneylife Digital Team 12 September 2025

Economy & Nation

The Hindu Hrudaysmarat Balasaheb Thackeray Samruddhi Mahamarg, Maharashtra’s flagship expressway, witnessed yet another safety scare this week. At least three cars suffered punctured tyres late Tuesday night after sharp metallic objects were found embedded on the Mumbai-bound carriageway near Daulatabad in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.

On the Samruddhi Expressway, three cars had punctured tyres in the night due to iron nozzles fixed for repair work. MSRDC gave an explanation and promised action against the contractor, but such negligence is dangerous.

In a post on X, social and RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar says victims of this incident deserve compensation for both damage and mental stress. "MSRDC (Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation) gave an explanation and promised action against the contractor, but such negligence is dangerous. Victims deserve compensation for both damage and mental stress!"

On Samruddhi Expressway, 3 cars had punctured tyres on Wednesday night due to iron nozzles fixed for repair work.

MSRDC gave an explanation & promised action against the contractor, but such negligence is dangerous. Victims deserve compensation for both damage & mental stress!… pic.twitter.com/KEXfcvTfl9
— Vijay Kumbhar (@VijayKumbhar62) September 10, 2025

Videos of sharp objects hammered into the road quickly went viral, with commuters fearing it was a robbery attempt. In one clip, a traveller alleged four vehicles had been stranded with punctures while driving at 120kmph, complaining that no barricades or warning signs were visible. Another motorist said his family, including three infants, had to be shifted at their own expense after being left stranded for hours, despite repeated calls to the expressway helpline.

Panic on Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway. Vehicles got punctured after nails were spotted on the road, sparking robbery fears.

MSRDC later clarified the nails were part of repair work. A motorist broke through barricades into the work zone, causing confusion & tyre bursts pic.twitter.com/Aa93xCvWsR
— Shubhism (@NagdeveShubham) September 10, 2025

The panic was so widespread that local police were alerted around 1am, suspecting deliberate sabotage.

MSRDC, which manages the expressway, later clarified that the objects were aluminium nozzles used in epoxy grouting work to seal cracks in the asphalt. According to officials, the nozzles should have been removed immediately after repairs but some were left embedded, causing punctures when cars drove over them.

MSRDC admitted the contractor had failed to implement adequate safety measures like barricading and diversions. It said punitive action had been initiated against the contractor and stressed that no deliberate foul play was involved. The nozzles were eventually cleared by 5am on Wednesday.

Commuters and road safety experts are unconvinced by the explanation. On a high-speed corridor where vehicles travel at 120kmph, a sudden puncture could easily lead to major accidents or fatalities. Motorists also questioned why such repair work was carried out hurriedly at night without proper barricading or advance warning.

The Samruddhi Expressway, inaugurated with much fanfare as Maharashtra’s 'corridor of prosperity', has already drawn criticism for poor planning and recurring accidents. This latest incident, they say, shows that the system is still ignoring basic safety protocols.

While MSRDC has promised action against the contractor, victims insist they should not be left bearing the cost of damage and distress. Compensation for vehicle damage, financial loss and mental trauma is being demanded, along with strict accountability to ensure such negligence does not put more lives at risk.

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