Samruddhi Expressway accident 'manmade', claims Maha Oppn leader Ambadas Danve; CM calls for probe

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Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra legislative council Ambadas Danve Sunday claimed that the fatal accident on Samruddhi Expressway where a mini-bus collided with the truck, happened after an RTO team stopped the truck. Danve said vehicles should be checked by the RTO after they cross the interchange toll and before entering the expressway. A team of the RTO stopped the running truck on the expressway, therefore the minibus collided with the truck, Danve said in a post on X, while terming the accident as "manmade".

"The Samruddhi Expressway has become a business road. Police and RTO should stop vehicles on this expressway for a valid reason, which is not happening here. They should have checked the mini-bus which was overloaded," he told reporters.

"Vehicles should not be stopped on the expressway, otherwise what is the purpose of this expressway? Stopping vehicles in such a way is like inviting death on this expressway. Action should be taken against RTO officials who purposely stop vehicles on this expressway," Danve said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut claimed commuters' safety was overlooked on the Samruddhi Expressway. "Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis only want to claim credit, they should also take the responsibility of deaths due to accidents on the expressway," he said.

"Why shouldn't the government be booked for culpable homicide?" the Rajya Sabha member asked and demanded that the minister concerned be sacked.

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole termed the accident as unfortunate. He said frequent accidents on the Samruddhi Expressway was a cause of concern.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar's acting Regional Transport Officer Vijay Kothale told PTI that he has come to know of Danve's claim. "An inquiry is being conducted in this case and statements are being recorded. A dedicated vehicle has been provided by the MSRDC (Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation) to the RTO for patrolling purpose. Our two officials were in the patrolling vehicle at the accident spot," he said.

Also read: Maharashtra: 12 dead, 23 injured as mini-bus hits container on Samruddhi Expressway

District guardian minister Sandipan Bhumre told reporters that he had met the injured people. "An inquiry will be conducted in this case and action will be taken against those who were at fault," he said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Sunday ordered a probe into Samruddhi Expressway road accident that killed 2 and left 23 others injured. The Chief Minister also said the kin of each of the deceased will get a compensation of Rs five lakh from the state government.

Chief Minister Shinde termed the incident as unfortunate and in a post on X said he has given directives to find out reasons behind the fatal accident near Vaijapur. Orders have also been given to take strict action against those found responsible for it, he said. The state government will bear the expenses of treatment of the injured persons, the CM added.

State Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a message on X said the injured persons were admitted to Ghati civil hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city, while some of the injured persons were being treated at the Vaijapur hospital.

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has commenced an inquiry into the accident, an official said. (With inputs from PTI)