Supreme Court Addresses Highway Safety

Supreme Court Insights on Highway Safety Concerns

1. Judicial Actions:

   • The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance regarding two major highway accidents in Telangana and Rajasthan that resulted in approximately 40 deaths, including many children.
   • Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi expressed deep concern over the repeated incidents and demanded explanations from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the central government regarding road safety.

2. Recent Accidents:

   • Rajasthan Incident: On November 2, 2025, a tempo traveller collided with a parked truck on the Bharatmala highway, killing 15 people, including women and children, who were on a pilgrimage from Jodhpur to Bikaner.
   • Telangana Incident: The following day, 19 individuals, including a three-month-old, died in a head-on collision when a lorry swerved to avoid a pothole on National Highway 163 (Hyderabad-Bijapur).

3. Reported Causes:

   • The Court highlighted issues concerning:
     • Poor maintenance of highways despite toll collections.
     • The presence of illegal roadside eateries, which obstruct visibility and contribute to accidents.

4. Government Directives:

   • The Supreme Court has mandated that the NHAI and the Road Ministry submit a detailed report within two weeks regarding:
     • The state of the highways involved in the accidents.
     • The number of illegal roadside dhabas (eateries) along these highways.
     • Maintenance protocols as followed by contracting agencies.

5. Broader Implications:

   • The Court's discussion pointed towards the need for a nationwide examination of highway conditions and road safety practices.
   • Senior advocate A.N.S. Nadkarni suggested that the case's scope be extended to encompass a broader, pan-India perspective.

6. Constitutional Context:

   • The incidents allude to the fundamental right to life and safety as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, emphasizing the government's responsibilities to ensure road safety and public welfare.

7. Future Directions:

   • This initiative highlights the importance of infrastructure safety and maintenance in India and resonates with judicial activism in matters of public interest.

The ongoing discussions in the Supreme Court highlight a critical intersection of judicial review and public safety, pressing the government to act on pressing infrastructure challenges affecting citizens' lives.