Nagpur: The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday issued a stern rebuke to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) for significant shortcomings in infrastructure, maintenance, and safety measures along the Samruddhi Mahamarg.
The court expressed dissatisfaction with the wide gap between the assurances given by authorities and the actual conditions on the ground. A division bench, consisting of Justices Nitin Sambre and Vrushali Joshi, has summoned key MSRDC officials, including the Managing Director, and ordered them to appear either in person or through video conferencing on Thursday. Additionally, MSRDC has been instructed to file an affidavit detailing any tenders issued for the development of the expressway.
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Tuesday 28 Jan. 2025
The judicial intervention follows a detailed rejoinder submitted by petitioner Anil Wadpalliwar, who conducted a 500-kilometre inspection of the expressway on November 15, 2024. His affidavit filed through counsel Shreerang Bhandarkar highlights serious lapses in safety provisions, commuter amenities, enforcement of traffic regulations, and environmental neglect. Despite the HC’s earlier directive to MSRDC to provide progress reports on restrooms, food plazas, and other essential facilities, the petitioner’s findings indicate gross non-compliance and failure to implement necessary improvements.
One of the most glaring issues flagged by the petitioner is the absence of Regional Transport Office (RTO) personnel at designated checkpoints, leading to unregulated vehicular movement, lack of speed monitoring, and failure to inspect tyre conditions. He stressed that without proper enforcement, road safety is severely compromised on this high-speed corridor.
The affidavit also highlights deplorable sanitation conditions, with many restrooms found in unhygienic states, lacking cleaning staff, and failing to provide accessibility features for disabled individuals — a clear violation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. At several locations, washrooms were either locked or completely unusable, making travel inconvenient and uncomfortable for commuters.
Adding to the safety concerns, Wadpalliwar observed an alarming lack of first aid kits, ambulances, and medical shops along the route. Given the high frequency of accidents reported on the expressway, the absence of medical emergency infrastructure poses a significant risk to travellers.
Food and refreshment facilities, another major concern, were found to be grossly inadequate and unhygienic. Many food joints were poorly maintained, offering limited meal options with substandard conditions. At certain fuel stations, signs explicitly barred passengers from bringing outside food, further limiting choices for travellers.
The affidavit further points out serious deficiencies in vehicle service facilities, with no nitrogen refilling stations available at key locations, including Shivni Petrol Pump, where nitrogen refilling was unavailable for over three months. The absence of nitrogen — a critical factor in tyre safety for long-distance travel — suggests poor maintenance and service negligence.
Despite previous commitments made by MSRDC in court affidavits, the petitioner found no progress on the promised development of EV charging stations, vehicle repair centres, or sufficient rest stops. The expressway’s barren landscape, with no significant tree cover or planned greenery, was also flagged as a major concern, contributing to increased heat levels and discomfort for travellers.
