A tragic accident on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway near Matara village in Gujarat’s Bharuch district claimed two lives and left four others seriously injured on Saturday morning. The incident occurred when a speeding trailer truck crashed into a tractor trolley that was carrying highway maintenance workers. The tractor, travelling from Vadodara toward Bharuch for routine repair work, was hit from behind with such force that it smashed into the roadside railing and broke into two parts.
Police officials said the impact was so powerful that two workers died instantly from multiple injuries. Emergency response teams from Amod police station and three ambulances from Baroda and Bharuch were immediately dispatched to the spot to assist in rescue operations.
The four surviving workers, who sustained critical injuries, were rushed to Karzan Hospital in Vadodara for urgent medical treatment. The bodies of the deceased were sent to the district hospital for post-mortem examination. Authorities said all six workers were part of a highway maintenance crew employed under a subcontractor managing repair work on that section of the expressway.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos following the collision, with mangled metal and debris scattered across multiple lanes. The accident brought traffic to a complete halt for several kilometres, as long lines of vehicles formed on both sides. Commuters reported waiting for hours as police and recovery teams worked to clear the damaged vehicles and restore movement.
A senior officer from Amod police said a case has been registered, and investigators are examining whether overspeeding, driver fatigue, or mechanical failure led to the crash. Preliminary observations suggest that the trailer truck was travelling at high speed when it hit the stationary tractor trolley from behind.
The accident has once again raised concerns about safety measures for road workers along the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway — one of India’s most ambitious and busiest highway projects. Several such incidents have been reported in recent months, with experts urging stricter enforcement of speed regulations, better lighting, and protective barriers near maintenance zones to prevent further loss of life.
Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are expected to conduct an on-site inspection to assess safety compliance in the area and recommend measures to prevent future accidents.
