Brand New Samruddhi Mahamarg Expressway Flooded: Closed For Traffic [Video]
The state of Maharashtra has been having a heavy downpour in the past few days. The rainfall has caused havoc in many parts. A stretch of the newly constructed Samruddhi Expressway almost 'turned into a river' after what felt like a cloudburst flooded it. The incident which occurred near the Sabra-Fardapur interchange, caused major inconvenience to the public and the traffic soon halted on the Expressway. The section was soon closed to traffic to bring things under control and prevent mishaps.
Samruddhi Mahamarg Expressway Flooded! [Video]
In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), we get to see the magnitude of flooding. It starts by showing the stretch that heads to Nagpur. It is fully flooded with water which seems to be flowing at a notable speed. We also see stranded vehicles and people bewildered by the unexpected flooding. An underpass can also be seen which again, is heavily flooded. Even trucks struggle to wade through.
The flood created a long line of stranded vehicles and did heavy damage to both vehicles and farmlands. What really shocks us is how the Rs 55,000 Crore project- Samruddhi Mahamarg- fell vulnerable and ended up getting flooded in less than a month after getting completed! The final stretch of this project was inaugurated on June 5, 2025!
More Troubling Incidents Around The Expressway
The flooding has brought to discussion the questionable records of the Samruddhi Mahamarg. In the past, a section of it had partially collapsed even before the inauguration. Weeks after its official opening, the Igatpuri–Amane stretch developed potholes, following mild rainfall! These were repaired immediately. Wide cracks are common in many sectors- say local sources.
Another allegation against the expressway is that it is a 'heat trap' in the summer. Travellers, including an MLA, allegedly experienced severe discomfort, while travelling through certain sections of it. The expressway is unshaded in most places. Plus, there aren't any proper amenities for travellers like restrooms or hotels. So, intense summers are going to be hard for users of this Expressway.
In another incident, a concrete slab from a flyover in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar- part of the Samruddhi Expressway- had come off! This had created much public outrage as well.
Gadkari's Bold Claims Gone Wrong?
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has always been optimistic about the infrastructure development projects that are being carried out by the central government. He has also made claims one of which was that the 'Indian roads will be on par with American roads'. It definitely sounds ambitious, and as soon as pictures of the potholes on Samruddhi Mahamarg surfaced, netizens began mocking him citing the same.
It isn't the case that Gadkari planned it wrong or has been unbothered about the quality of roads being built. He had, in fact, issued multiple warnings to companies undertaking the construction that non-adherence to set quality standards would result in severe consequences.
The centre's roadway expansion plan is quite promising. But it is a grim reality that in many places the quality of the roads that are being built is sub-par. The contractors and companies undertaking the construction, seem to be responsible for this compromise.
Gadkari had already made it clear that the government would keep a close watch on the quality standards of the roadways being built. Heavy fines will be imposed on those who fail to adhere to the set standards.
The contractor or company would then have to get the repairs done at their own expense. It will then be blacklisted as well. The new incident could thus lead to strict governmental action soon...