Following mid-day’s report on private vehicles—including cars, goods carriers, and two-wheelers—illegally using the unopened Amane-Igatpuri stretch of the Samruddhi Highway, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) officials acknowledged the issue. They stated that some locals have been forcefully trespassing on the highway and assured that action will be taken against those using the stretch unlawfully.
 
On Monday, mid-day published a story titled Motorists raising hell on yet-to-open stretch of Samruddhi Highway, highlighting how the Igatpuri-Amane section of the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway, commonly known as the Samruddhi Mahamarg, is allegedly being used by motorists despite not being inaugurated. The stretch was expected to open in March, but with crash barrier work still ongoing, its unauthorised use has raised safety concerns. Locals have accused authorities of ignoring the violations.