Samruddhi project hit by multi-crore steel transport racket

Nagpur: A shocking steel transportation scam linked to the prestigious Samruddhi Mahamarg project has surfaced, exposing a carefully orchestrated racket that allegedly siphoned off tonnes of steel during transit through systematic manipulation of weighbridge records. The fraud, suspected to have been running for months, points to a well-organised network involving transport operators, drivers, and possibly insiders.

The scam revolves around the transportation of steel supplied by Steel Authority of India’s (SAIL) Butibori unit for infrastructure work on the Jalna–Nanded stretch of the expressway. The material was officially assigned for transport to Sunita Road Carriers, but investigators say the actual logistics were being handled by Balaji Enterprises, a trailer supply firm operating from Kapsi on Bhandara Road in Nagpur.

The racket came to light after Udit Rakesh Jain (40), Assistant Administrative Manager of PNRC Infotech Limited, the company executing the project work under MSRDC, filed a formal complaint over suspicious shortages in steel consignments. Acting swiftly, a team of Parbhani Police rushed to Nagpur and began probing the transport network, inspecting several locations including the premises of Balaji Enterprises, which is believed to be at the centre of the operation.

Investigating officer API Sudhakar Khaje revealed that nearly 80 steel consignments had been transported through this chain since June 29, 2025. However, what appeared to be routine transportation concealed a sophisticated fraud mechanism.

According to investigators, the accused allegedly used electronic devices to manipulate digital weighbridge readings, artificially inflating the weight of loaded trailers at dispatch points. In reality, the trucks were carrying significantly less steel than recorded. The missing material was then allegedly siphoned off during transit and quietly diverted into the local market through illegal channels.

“This appears to be a systematic operation rather than an isolated incident. The scale and method suggest a coordinated racket involving multiple players,” a police officer involved in the investigation said.

The scam was finally exposed on March 15, 2026, when three trailers reached the Parbhani project site and were subjected to physical verification. The inspection revealed glaring discrepancies — one truck (GJ-05/BZ-0871) was found short by 11.34 tonnes of steel, while another vehicle (MH40/CM-7007) had a deficit of 8.84 tonnes. Suspicion deepened when the driver of the third trailer fled the site without allowing inspection.

“When confronted, all three drivers escaped, indicating they were aware of the fraud and were acting under instructions,” an officer said.

Adding another layer of suspicion, two men allegedly linked to the transport network, identified as Raghav Chaudhary and M D Hussain alias Golu, soon arrived at the site and reportedly attempted to pressure company officials and take custody of the vehicles.

“Their behaviour clearly indicated an attempt to suppress the matter. They tried to intimidate the officials and remove the trucks, which further strengthened the suspicion of a well-organised racket,” police sources said.

Preliminary estimates suggest the fraud caused losses exceeding Rs 10 lakh in a single day. Considering that nearly 80 consignments were transported under the same arrangement, investigators believe the overall loss could run into several crores.

Police have now widened the probe and are examining weighbridge data, CCTV footage, GPS movement records, and transport documents in Nagpur to trace the full scale of the scam. The role of weighbridge operators and other internal staff is also under scrutiny.

“We are not ruling out the involvement of insiders. The investigation is progressing on multiple fronts,” an official said, adding that further arrests are likely as investigators attempt to dismantle what could be one of the largest steel transport frauds linked to a major infrastructure project in the state.

GET YOUR OWN WEBSITE

FOR ₹9,999

Domain & Hosting FREE for 1 Year

No Hidden Charges