Nails Found On Samruddhi Expressway Bridge Near Mumbai-Nagpur Stretch Leaves Cars Punctured, MSRDC Clarifies
Nails Found On Samruddhi Expressway Bridge Near Mumbai-Nagpur Stretch Leaves Cars Punctured, MSRDC Clarifies
Mumbai, September 10, 2025: Several vehicles travelling late Tuesday night on the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway were forced to halt after their tyres were punctured by rows of sharp nails embedded in the road surface on a bridge.
A video circulating online shows nails arranged in lines across the bridge, with traffic moving slowly along an adjacent lane. The footage, shot at night, sparked alarm among commuters.
At the Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg, near chainage 442+460, on the Mumbai-bound carriageway, minor cracks (about 15 meters in length) were detected on the first and second lanes. As part of preventive maintenance, epoxy grouting was carried out to fill these cracks.
During the grouting process, aluminium nozzles were required to be fixed. For this work, traffic diversion arrangements had been implemented. The work was completed at 11:30 pm on 09.09.2025.
However, around 12:10 am on 10.09.2025, some fast-moving vehicles crossed into the first lane, ignoring the diversion, and drove over the aluminium nozzles. As a result, tyres of three vehicles were punctured.
Immediately after receiving the message, the Highway Patrol Vehicle (RPV) reached the spot at 12:36 am. Importantly, no accident or loss of life occurred during the incident.
The aluminium nozzles used for epoxy grouting were removed by 5:00 am on 10.09.2025, and traffic flow has since been smooth.
It was observed that comprehensive traffic diversion safety arrangements were not in place at the work site. Hence, penal action is being taken against the concerned contractor.
Despite this clarification, many drivers raised concerns about the absence of barricades, warning signs, or prior intimation. They questioned why such repair activity was done at night, causing distress and risking lives. Several pointed out that sudden tyre punctures at high speeds on the expressway could have resulted in major accidents or fatalities.
The Samruddhi Mahamarg, promoted as Maharashtra’s “corridor of prosperity,” has already faced criticism for recurring accidents and planning lapses since its opening. Authorities are now expected to investigate the incident and implement corrective measures to prevent such hazards in the future.
