Chief Secretary told to coordinate departments urgently; court says multiple agencies cannot be an excuse to postpone action
The Kerala High Court has reiterated that its earlier directions on road safety must be implemented without delay, stressing that the involvement of multiple departments and agencies cannot be used as a reason to shift responsibility or defer action.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar passed the order in a suo motu public interest matter concerning road safety. The case was taken up to monitor compliance with the court’s earlier order dated September 24, 2026.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for the various respondents submitted that they needed further instructions from their respective departments and authorities on the measures required for implementing the court’s previous directions. They assured the Bench that they would obtain the necessary instructions and place the details before the court at the earliest.
The High Court, however, made it clear that the directions already issued were to be carried out in a time-bound manner. The Bench said there should be no avoidable delay in implementing road safety measures, given the urgency and public importance of the issue.
The court specifically directed the Chief Secretary of Kerala, described as the nodal authority for overall coordination and monitoring of compliance, to ensure effective coordination among all concerned departments and agencies. At the same time, the Bench clarified that the Chief Secretary should not take over the statutory functions assigned to individual authorities under law.
In a significant observation, the court said that the existence of multiple authorities cannot become a ground for inaction or for one department to pass the burden to another. Each respondent has been directed to come prepared with clear details on the steps already taken or proposed, the officers responsible for implementation, and the timeline for completion.
Emphasising the seriousness of the matter, the Bench said road safety requires prompt and effective action and reminded all parties that “time is of the essence.” The court also invited officers of the respondent authorities to assist the proceedings by appearing either physically or through virtual mode and placing fresh inputs or suggestions before it.
The matter has been posted to November 3, 2026, at 1:45 p.m., along with connected cases, for further consideration of compliance and progress on the implementation of the earlier directions.
Bottom Line:
Public interest/road safety matter - Directions already issued by Court to be implemented in a time-bound manner - Chief Secretary to ensure coordination among departments and agencies without usurping their statutory functions - Multiplicity of authorities cannot be a ground to defer action or shift responsibility - Respondents directed to furnish specific measures taken/proposed, officers responsible and timelines for completion.
Statutory provision(s): Constitution of India
