# ‘Dying Would Be Better’: Why Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway Villagers Are Seeking PM Modi’s Nod for Suicide
In a heart-wrenching cry for help, residents of villages along India's bustling Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway (NH-48) have taken an extreme step: writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek permission for suicide. Frustrated by years of administrative neglect, pothole-riddled roads, and paralyzing traffic jams, over 100 villagers from Maharashtra's Palghar district claim their lives have become unbearable. "Dying would be better than living like this," says activist Sushant Patil, encapsulating the desperation that has pushed these communities to the brink. This protest highlights deeper issues of infrastructure mismanagement in one of India's key economic corridors, raising questions about accountability and human cost.
## The Lifeline Turned Nightmare: Background on NH-48
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, officially NH-48, is a vital 1,022-kilometer artery connecting India's financial capital to Gujarat's industrial hub. It facilitates massive trade, tourism, and daily commutes, handling thousands of vehicles daily, including heavy trucks. However, the stretch through Maharashtra, particularly in Palghar district, has long been plagued by poor maintenance. Potholes, inadequate drainage, and haphazard traffic management have turned this "lifeline" into a source of daily torment for locals.
Issues escalated recently due to ongoing paving and maintenance in the Gaimukh Ghat region, leading to a police ban on heavy vehicles past Chinchoti Naka from October 11-14. Despite this, trucks disregarded the order, causing five days of gridlock. Residents report that problems have worsened over the past two months, with commutes stretching from one hour to five or six. For years, complaints to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have fallen on deaf ears, fueling accusations of negligence against officials, including the NHAI project director.
## The Breaking Point: Chronic Traffic Chaos and Its Causes
The villagers' frustration boils down to a toxic mix of infrastructure failures and administrative apathy:
- **Potholes and Poor Road Conditions**: The highway is dotted with craters, making travel hazardous and slow.
- **Traffic Mismanagement**: Heavy vehicles ignore bans, leading to kilometer-long backups. A recent police order was flouted, paralyzing the Naigaon-Chinchoti region.
- **Neglect by Authorities**: Despite multiple representations, no action has been taken. Residents demand disciplinary measures against NHAI officials for their "carelessness."
Protests erupted near the highway on Friday, October 17, 2025, led by the Bhumiputra Foundation. Activists like Sushant Patil vow to continue until concrete steps are implemented. The affected villages—Sasunavghar, Maljipada, Sasupada, Bobat Pada, and Patharpada—rely entirely on NH-48 for daily needs, amplifying the crisis.
## A Desperate Plea: The Letter to PM Modi
In a symbolic act of despair, over 100 residents penned a letter to PM Modi, requesting "permission to die by suicide" as protest against the "gross negligence." Sent from the Sasunavghar Post Office on October 16, the memorandum details how the highway's state has disrupted lives and urges immediate intervention.
Key demands include:
- Disciplinary action against NHAI officials.
- Urgent repairs and better traffic management.
The letter warns: "If the administration continues to remain inactive, we citizens will be left with no option but to seek permission to die by suicide." This extreme measure has gone viral on social media, sparking public outrage and discussions about infrastructure accountability.
## Human Toll: How the Crisis is Ravaging Daily Lives
The traffic woes extend far beyond inconvenience, profoundly impacting health, education, and livelihoods:
- **Education Disruptions**: Children miss exams and school; parents fear sending them out amid the chaos.
- **Medical Emergencies**: The nearest hospital in Mira Road, once 20 minutes away, now takes over three hours. A recent incident highlighted this when a one-year-old reportedly died due to delayed care.
- **Economic and Travel Losses**: People miss flights, trains, and work. One resident lamented, "Sometimes we can’t even step out of our homes because vehicles are backed up for kilometers."
Sushant Patil told reporters: "The ordeal is insufferable... For years, our prayers and cries have been falling on deaf ears."
## Authorities' Response: Silence and Minor Shifts
NHAI has not responded to queries, with attempts to reach the project director yielding no results. However, the Mira-Bhayander and Vasai-Virar (MBVV) police issued a notification on October 17, shutting down the Chinchoti traffic branch and reallocating duties to Vasai and Virar branches. Critics argue this is insufficient, as core issues like road repairs remain unaddressed.
Broader implications include calls for systemic reforms in highway management, potentially involving stricter oversight of NHAI and better community engagement.
| Aspect | Details |
|--------|---------|
| **Affected Areas** | Sasunavghar, Maljipada, Sasupada, Bobat Pada, Patharpada (Naigaon-Chinchoti-Vasai) |
| **Main Causes** | Potholes, heavy vehicle violations, administrative neglect |
| **Impacts** | Missed exams/flights, delayed medical care, unbearable commutes (1 hr → 5-6 hrs) |
| **Demands** | Disciplinary action on NHAI officials, urgent repairs |
| **Key Quote** | "Dying would be better than living like this" – Sushant Patil |
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Infrastructure Accountability
This plea from NH-48 villagers is more than a protest—it's a stark indictment of India's infrastructure gaps, where economic corridors thrive at the expense of local lives. As the story gains traction, it underscores the need for swift government action to prevent such desperation. Will PM Modi's office intervene, or will these voices continue to echo unheard? The highway to progress shouldn't lead to despair; it's time for real change to ensure no one feels suicide is their only option.
