A harrowing day on NH-48 saw two devastating crashes near Vasai, turning the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway into a scene of pandemonium. The afternoon pile-up in Sasupada involved six vehicles crashing in a chain reaction: a container truck, two sedans, a tempo, a passenger bus, and a pickup van. The impact crushed cabins, trapping occupants and sparking a frantic rescue operation.
Highway traffic police and bystanders worked tirelessly to free the injured, with tempo driver Ramesh Yadav critically hurt and admitted to Orbit Hospital. The accident caused an epic traffic snarl, stranding thousands amid blaring horns and frustration. Authorities suspect over-speeding amid dense traffic as the trigger, with probes ongoing led by officer Devendra Ghosalkar.
Barely hours later, dusk brought more grief at Vagoba Ghat in Dhekale. A speeding mystery vehicle rammed a bike, instantly killing its three occupants. The hit-and-run driver vanished, but police are scouring CCTV from nearby areas for leads. Bodies were transported to Manor Rural Hospital as shocked witnesses recounted the brutality.
Public outrage is mounting over recurring hazards on this busy stretch. Drivers and locals point to lax enforcement, insufficient signage, and blind curves as deadly combinations. Calls intensify for speed breakers, advanced monitoring systems, and round-the-clock patrols. This stretch of highway, a lifeline for millions, demands immediate safety overhauls to avert more needless deaths.