Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 13: Even as fatalities on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway saw a sharp 29% decline this year, deaths on the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg have risen by 16% between January and September 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the transport department on Wednesday.

Figures show that fatalities on the Samruddhi Mahamarg climbed from 92 to 107, while those on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway dropped from 72 to 51.

Experts attribute the contrasting trends to differences in road design, safety systems, and driver behaviour. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway has benefited from an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) equipped with high-tech cameras that monitor speeding and violations. However, Samruddhi Mahamarg lacks such a system, leading to unchecked speeding and frequent tyre bursts due to its fully concrete surface — unlike the Expressway’s mix of concrete and bituminous surfacing, which is gentler on tyres.

“Driving on Samruddhi is monotonous compared to the Expressway, causing ‘road hypnosis,’ which can make drivers less alert,” explained transport expert Vivek Pai. “To counter that, wildlife pictures were put up along the stretch, but they haven’t made a significant difference.”

Lack of proper amenities for truck drivers is another major concern. “While the Expressway has two truck halts and five laybys, Samruddhi offers none. Heavy vehicle drivers often park under overpasses or on the roadside, creating dangerous situations at night,” said Piyush Tewari of SaveLIFE Foundation. He also mentioned reports of miscreants throwing stones or bricks at trucks to force drivers to stop, leading to potential accidents or robberies.

Additional Transport Commissioner Bharat Kalaskar said the department will enhance monitoring along Samruddhi, introducing patrols similar to the RTO interceptor units deployed on the Expressway. “Overall road fatalities in the state have reduced, despite growth in road length and vehicles,” he said, crediting the ‘3E strategy’ — engineering, enforcement, and emergency response.

ADG (Traffic) Pravin Salunke confirmed that police have flagged infrastructure-related issues on the Samruddhi corridor to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).

Experts noted that safety measures such as crash barriers, better lighting, and covered concrete structures on the Expressway have played a key role in improving safety. They suggested similar interventions for Samruddhi Mahamarg, where accident-prone stretches include Jambargaon toll plaza (Aurangabad), Kadwanchi village (Jalna), and Buldhana — the site of the tragic bus inferno that claimed 25 lives.

“Behavioural issues persist too,” added Pai. “In the Igatpuri tunnel section, people still stop for selfies in high-speed zones, increasing the risk of serious accidents.”