{
  "id": 18159847,
  "title": "Maharashtra’s Samruddhi Mahamarg To Get 420 Police Posts & 15 Assistance Centres To Boost Highway Safety",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/maharashtras-samruddhi-mahamarg-to-get-420-police-posts-15-assistance",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T17:22:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtras-samruddhi-mahamarg-to-get-420-police-posts-15-assistance-centres-to-boost-highway-safety"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Maharashtra's Samruddhi Mahamarg highway is set to receive a substantial security overhaul following the state government's approval. The plan includes the addition of 420 regular police posts, 15 Highway Police Assistance Centres, and a dedicated Control Room, with a budget allocation of approximately Rs 51 crore. This decision, recently announced and sanctioned through a Government Resolution, aims to address the growing concerns over the safety of the 701-km expressway, which has been plagued by incidents such as highway robberies, armed attacks on drivers, diesel theft, extortion, and insufficient patrolling.\n\nTransport fraternity leader Bal Malkit Singh, Advisor and former President of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), praised the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for taking prompt action to tackle these issues. Singh highlighted that transporters had persistently reported these safety concerns, submitting multiple representations between June 1 and September 28, 2026, demanding urgent intervention. The establishment of the 420 police posts, 15 assistance centres, and a control room, he stated, represents a critical step towards enhancing highway safety.\n\nWhile Singh welcomed the decision, he emphasized the need for these measures to yield visible improvements on the ground. \"Our drivers deserve safety, dignity and security, not fear,\" he remarked, stressing that a robust security mechanism would benefit not only truck drivers but also passengers, tourists, and all users of the highway. Singh underscored that the safety of truck drivers, who are instrumental in maintaining the country's supply chain, is paramount, and the Samruddhi Mahamarg's reputation must be synonymous with world-class safety and infrastructure.\n\nExpressing hope, Singh assured that the newly created posts and centres would be operational across the entire expressway as soon as possible. He pledged the transport fraternity's continued collaboration with the government to ensure the corridor remains safe and stress-free for all users.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has approved a major security upgrade for the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg, clearing the creation of 420 regular police posts, 15 Highway Police Assistance Centres and a dedicated Control Room. A Government Resolution in this regard has been issued, with a budgetary provision of around Rs 51 crore. The decision has been welcomed by the transport fraternity,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}