In a concerning incident, nails hammered into the Samruddhi Expressway in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district led to punctured tyres for at least three cars in the early hours of Wednesday. The incident has raised serious questions about safety and potential foul play on the high-speed corridor.

The nails were found embedded in a 10-20 feet asphalted patch on the Mumbai-bound arm of the expressway near Daulatabad. Videos circulating on social media depict the nails neatly hammered into the road surface. Motorists alerted the Daulatabad police around 1 am after encountering the sharp metallic objects.

Authorities responded swiftly, with police teams rushing to the scene to assess the situation. While the exact number of nails is yet to be determined, at least three vehicles suffered tyre punctures. The police have summoned the road contractor responsible for maintaining the stretch and individuals who were allegedly stopping motorists in the area for questioning.

Initial concerns arose that the nails were deliberately planted as part of a robbery attempt. However, further investigation revealed that a road construction company working on repairs in the area had fixed the nails. This revelation has sparked outrage among commuters, who questioned the lack of barricading or warning signs to alert drivers to the ongoing repair work.

Several motorists have voiced their concerns about the potential for serious accidents due to the hazardous situation. Driving at high speeds on the expressway with punctured tyres could easily lead to loss of control and collisions. One video showed a person saying four vehicles were punctured because the stretch with nails had not been barricaded. Another traveler reported that their car tyres were punctured and they did not receive assistance for over three hours despite contacting the expressway helpline multiple times. They were traveling with family, including three babies.

The incident has also brought attention to previous criticisms of the Samruddhi Expressway, which has faced scrutiny regarding frequent accidents and alleged safety lapses since its inauguration. In late December 2024, 13 cars suffered tyre punctures in one night due to a heavy iron plate falling from a trailer.

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), responsible for the expressway's upkeep, has sent a team of senior officials to investigate the incident. They are expected to issue a statement and announce corrective measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety during road maintenance and construction activities. Proper signage, barricading, and timely assistance are crucial to protecting motorists and preventing accidents on high-speed roadways.