MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has approved 420 regular police posts, 15 Highway Police Assistance Centres and a dedicated control room for the Mumbai–Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg, with a budget provision of about ₹51 crore, to strengthen security on the expressway. A Government Resolution (GR) has been issued for the move.
The decision has been welcomed by the transport sector. Bal Malkit Singh, adviser and former president of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), thanked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for acting on the security concerns repeatedly raised by transporters.
Singh said transporters had flagged highway robberies, armed attacks, diesel theft, extortion and inadequate patrolling on the expressway. The body had submitted representations to the government on June 1, June 9, July 17, August 10, September 2 and September 28 this year, seeking urgent action.
“We have been consistently highlighting the ground realities and the serious security challenges faced by our drivers and transporters. The approval of 420 regular police posts, 15 Highway Police Assistance Centres and a dedicated Control Room is a significant step towards addressing these concerns,” Singh said.
He, however, said the decision should not remain limited to an administrative approval and must lead to effective security on the ground. “Our drivers deserve safety, dignity and security—not fear,” he said.
What transporters want
According to Singh, the new set-up should ensure:
- 24×7 patrolling, especially on vulnerable stretches
- Immediate response to robberies, assaults, accidents and vehicle breakdowns
- A dedicated emergency helpline and easy complaint registration for drivers
- Effective CCTV surveillance and continuous monitoring
- Better coordination between highway police, local police and emergency response teams
He said a strong security mechanism would protect not only truck drivers but also passengers, tourists and other users of the highway. “Samruddhi Mahamarg is one of Maharashtra’s prestigious infrastructure projects, and its reputation must reflect world-class safety standards along with world-class infrastructure,” he said.
Singh expressed hope that the police posts and assistance centres would be made operational at the earliest and that the security measures would cover the entire expressway. He added that the transport sector would continue to work with the government to improve highway safety and ensure the smooth movement of goods across the state.