Expressing deep concern over the alarming rise in fatal highway accidents, the Supreme Court on Monday took suo motu cognisance of the recent accident in Rajasthan's Phalodi, and a similar tragedy in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, which together claimed nearly 40 lives.
A bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi observed that the deteriorating condition of highways as well as the unchecked proliferation of dhabas (roadside eateries) along the roads had turned many stretches into death traps for unsuspecting commuters.
“This petition has been registered suo motu in reference to Phalodi and Srikakulam accidents. In both accidents, 18 and 19 lives have been lost. The reason of such loss of life is explicitly indicated in the news items,” the bench noted in its order.
Unsafe highways under the scanner
During the brief hearing, Justice Maheshwari remarked that many dhabas and eateries are being operated right on the edge of highways—often on land that is not officially notified for such use.
“The situation is that the dhabas are situated on the bank of the road which is not notified for this. People stop their trucks and go to the dhabas. And the other vehicles coming on speed collide with them,” he observed.
The court said that this pattern of unregulated roadside activity poses a grave risk to both highway users and those operating the establishments.
“We have to understand how this can be regulated,” Justice Maheshwari said, emphasising that the issue is not merely one of traffic management, but of human lives being lost due to negligence and lack of enforcement.
Poor road quality despite tolls
The bench also noted with disapproval that despite tolls being collected on national highways, road maintenance remains poor and haphazard.
“The road conditions are not good though tolls are being charged,” the order stated, calling for accountability from contractors and authorities responsible for maintenance.
The court also observed that in many instances, vehicles were forced to park dangerously close to moving traffic because of the absence of proper service lanes or parking spaces.
“In consequence, the vehicles go and park there. The other vehicles are not in a position to see the standing vehicles on the road, colliding with such vehicles,” the order noted.
Directions to NHAI and the Transport Ministry
Taking a serious view of the matter, the Supreme Court directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to conduct an immediate survey of the highways where the accidents occurred.
The authorities have been asked to file a detailed report within two weeks.
The court said that the report must specifically indicate how many dhabas are situated along the roadside on land that is not notified or approved for such establishments. It must also include a comprehensive assessment of road conditions and whether the contractors responsible for maintenance are following the prescribed norms.
“The report shall be submitted within two weeks after survey, indicating how many dhabas are situated on the bank of the road on areas which are not notified for such facility,” the order directed, adding that compliance reports on maintenance standards should also be filed.
A larger wake-up call
The Supreme Court’s intervention comes amid growing concerns over India’s dismal road safety record.
According to government data, over 1.5 lakh people die in road accidents annually, with a significant number of fatalities occurring on highways due to high-speed collisions, poor infrastructure, and unauthorised roadside activity.
The Supreme Court’s directive seeks not only accountability for recent tragedies, but also systemic reform to ensure that India’s highways—symbols of development and connectivity—do not continue to double as corridors of death.
