According to police, motorists reported to Daulatabad police station at around 1 am that nails were stuck on the Samruddhi Express deliberately, by unscrupulous elements. Teams were dispatched to the site and an officer was quoted as saying by PTI, “We are yet to ascertain how many nails were hammered into the road, but tyres of three cars were punctured.”
Also read | Mumbai-Pune Expressway issues ₹470 crore in e-challans in one year, only ₹51 crore recovered
Videos of the incident quickly went viral, showing nails embedded in the high-speed carriageway, which connects Nagpur and Mumbai. In one clip, a man alleged that at least four vehicles were damaged. “Vehicles travel at 120 km per hour, and the stretch with nails has not been barricaded,” he warned.
Another traveller complained that despite repeated calls to the expressway helpline, no assistance arrived for over three hours. “I was travelling with a family including three babies. We spent money and sent them ahead,” he claimed.
The police have summoned the road contractor responsible for the stretch and individuals who assisted motorists for questioning, as investigations continue into whether the act was deliberate sabotage.
Also read | 13-km Mumbai-Pune Expressway connector nears completion, set to open by December
Meanwhile, the state government recently announced that from August 22, 2025, all electric vehicles were granted complete exemption from toll charges on key routes including the Samruddhi Mahamarg, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the Atal Setu.
Framed under the Motor Vehicles Taxation Act of 1958, the policy was approved by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said during a press briefing that the exemption will apply to private four-wheelers as well as buses operated by both State Transport Undertakings (STUs) and private operators. Vehicles categorised as M2, M3 and M6 will be eligible for toll exemption.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
