Nagpur: With the majority of crashes on the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway attributed to highway hypnosis and overspeeding, authorities are planning to create restrooms at every 50 kilometers instead of the current 200-kilometer gap so that drivers can refresh themselves regularly. To prevent highway hypnosis, colorful paintings and visual distractions will be added on the dividers or roadside to keep drivers alert.
These measures were discussed at a meeting with officials of Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) Ltd last week, said SP Lohit Matani on Monday. Addressing media at the Regional Police Training School, Matani sounded an alarm over an 82.8% surge in fatalities recorded in 2025 on the expressway compared to the previous year. Matani, who had co-launched ‘Operation U-Turn' to curb accidents in Nagpur city, now aims to implement measures for state and national highways under him to reduce fatal accidents by 15% as per directions issued by State DGP Sadanand Date.
Matani said five major steps are being enforced: special drives against drunk driving with breath analyzers, strict helmet enforcement, speed control through speed guns and e-challans, action against hazardous roadside parking, and creation of an integrated dashboard for all road agencies. The Samruddhi Expressway Risk Profile reveals that fatalities dropped from 80 deaths in 2023 to 35 in 2024 due to early speed-calming measures, but surged to 64 deaths in 2025. Malkapur and Amani sections accounted for over 60% of all expressway deaths in 2025. Malkapur Sector recorded 23 fatalities, Amani Sector 16, Jam Sector 12, Dhamangaon Sector 9, and Khursapar Sector 4.
Overall, Nagpur division saw highway deaths fall from 971 in 2023 to 657 in 2025, a 32% reduction, but there were 304 fatalities during January to May 2026 period despite fewer accidents. The SP appealed to motorists to follow traffic rules, wear helmets and seatbelts, obey speed limits and never drink and drive. Matani also encouraged that Good Samaritans can become Mritunjaya Doots or volunteers to ensure swift medical assistance to accident victims during the ‘Golden hour'. "Government promises a reward of 1.5 lakh to Good Samaritan helping accident victims," said Matani.
