Why SC used its 'complete justice' power to fix the highways, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court issued a 13-point directive on April 13 to central and state road departments to prevent road accidents, following two accidents in November 2025 that caused 34 deaths.
• The court criticized the NHAI and state PWDs for administrative negligence and infrastructural gaps on high-speed expressways.
• The order prohibits parking of heavy vehicles on National Highway carriageways except in designated areas and bans new dhabas within the Right of Way (ROW).
• District Magistrates are ordered to demolish unauthorized structures, and states must prevent land-use changes near highways.

Detailed Insights:

• The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance after a bus accident on the Bharatmala Expressway in Rajasthan and a lorry accident in Telangana highlighted road safety issues.
• The court recognized that Article 21 of the Constitution includes the safety of commuters, mandating a safe environment where human life is preserved.
• The court directed authorities to use Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) to track vehicles, alert police, and integrate with e-Challan systems within 60 days.
• The order calls for dedicated highway surveillance teams to monitor highways and adjacent areas around the clock.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Article 21: Guarantees the protection of life and personal liberty, interpreted to include road safety.
• Suo Motu Cognizance: The power of a court to take up a matter on its own, without waiting for a formal complaint.
• Right of Way (ROW): The legal right of passage over a specific strip of land, often used for highways.