Apex Court mandates comprehensive measures to address systemic negligence, infrastructural failures, and administrative lapses following fatal accidents.
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India, in the case of In Re: Phalodi Accident v. National Highways Authority of India, has taken significant steps to address the alarming rate of road accidents on National Highways. The Court, through a suo-motu writ petition, has issued a series of interim directions aimed at ensuring road safety and preventing further tragedies like the ones witnessed in Phalodi, Rajasthan, and Rangareddy, Telangana, which resulted in the loss of 34 lives in November 2025.
The judgment, delivered by Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Atul S. Chandurkar, emphasizes the constitutional obligation under Article 21, the Right to Life, which includes the right to safe passage. The Court observed that administrative lethargy and infrastructural gaps leading to road accidents are tantamount to failures in the State's protective obligations.
Key directions issued by the Supreme Court include the prohibition of unauthorized parking on National Highways, operationalization of Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS), and the removal of unauthorized structures within the Right of Way (ROW). The Court has set strict timelines for compliance, mandating that these directions be implemented within 60 days.
The Court also directed the establishment of District Highway Safety Task Forces, the construction of truck lay-bye facilities, and the identification of accident blackspots. Additionally, measures for public safety and emergency response, such as the deployment of ambulances and recovery cranes, have been prioritized.
The Supreme Court's decision underscores the urgent need for a coordinated approach involving multiple stakeholders, including State Police, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), to ensure the sanctity of human life is preserved on the country's highways.
The Court has further directed the Registry to forward a copy of the order to relevant authorities, emphasizing the need for immediate action and compliance. The matter is scheduled for review in two months to assess the implementation of the directions.
Statutory provision(s): Article 21 of the Constitution of India, Article 142 of the Constitution of India, National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002
In Re: Phalodi Accident v. National Highways Authority of India, (SC) : Law Finder Doc id # 2885119
