Samruddhi Highway Horror: Private Travels Bus Catches Fire After Truck Collision, One Dead
Samruddhi Highway Horror: Private Travels Bus Catches Fire After Truck Collision, One Dead
Early-morning crash near Maliwada toll plaza leaves one passenger dead as 31 others escape a burning bus on Maharashtra’s Samruddhi Expressway.
Another tragic accident on Maharashtra’s Samruddhi Mahamarg has raised fresh concerns over night-time travel safety on the high-speed corridor. A private travels bus heading towards Mumbai caught fire after colliding with a truck in the early hours of the morning, leaving one passenger dead and another injured, while 31 people narrowly escaped.
The accident occurred around 3 am near the Maliwada toll plaza, roughly 15–16 km ahead on the Mumbai-bound stretch of the Samruddhi Highway in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar region. The bus, operated by Sairam Travels and bearing registration number MH19 CX 3015, was carrying 32 people, including 29 passengers, two drivers and one conductor.
According to preliminary information, the bus rammed into a truck bearing registration number CG04 M 8711 that reportedly came suddenly in front of it. Following the impact, the bus caught fire within minutes. The flames spread rapidly, turning the vehicle into a fireball and leaving little time for passengers to react.
Fire brigade teams from Padampura and Kanchanwadi rushed to the spot after receiving information about the blaze. Under the guidance of Chief Fire Officer Ashok Khandekar, firefighters worked swiftly to bring the fire under control. By the time the flames were extinguished, the bus had been completely gutted, reduced to its skeletal frame.
Despite the severity of the fire, prompt action by the fire services helped save most lives. Thirty passengers were successfully evacuated from the burning bus. However, one passenger, identified as Amol Suresh Shelkar, aged 38 and a resident of Khamgaon in Buldhana district, died after being trapped in the fire. Another person sustained injuries and has been admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Officials said the injured passenger’s condition is stable. The bodies of emergency responders and local authorities were present at the scene for several hours to clear debris and ensure traffic movement on the highway was restored safely.
The Maliwada police have registered a case and initiated further investigation to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the collision and fire. While the initial assessment points to an accident involving the truck, officials have not ruled out other contributing factors.
This incident once again highlights recurring safety concerns on the Samruddhi Mahamarg, especially during late-night and early-morning hours. In several past accidents on the expressway, factors such as high speed, driver fatigue, and drowsiness have been cited as major causes. The long, straight stretches of the highway, designed for fast travel, often increase the risk when drivers lose alertness.
Local residents and commuters have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of speed limits, better rest facilities for drivers, and enhanced monitoring during night hours. The latest accident adds urgency to these demands, as the expressway continues to witness a series of serious crashes since its opening.
Authorities have appealed to travellers and transport operators to exercise caution, ensure drivers are well-rested, and strictly adhere to speed regulations, particularly during night journeys.
