The Supreme Court has called upon the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to implement an electronic surveillance system to monitor vehicles that are parked or stationary on highways. This directive was made during a suo motu hearing related to a tragic road accident in Phalodi, Rajasthan, where fifteen individuals lost their lives.

A bench consisting of Justices Vikram Nath, Augustine George Masih, and Sandeep Mehta raised concerns following remarks from senior advocate ANS Nadkarni, who, acting as amicus curiae, highlighted recent accidents linked to vehicles parked on highways. The court underlined the potential benefits of real-time tracking in preventing such incidents.

The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for October 13, during which it will also address applications concerning encroachments along national highways. The bench questioned why the NHAI, equipped with ample resources, has not established a mechanism for monitoring parked vehicles on highways as part of its safety measures.

Previous Interim Directions and Safety Measures

On April 13, the Supreme Court had outlined a set of interim directives aimed at enhancing safety on national highways. These directives strictly prohibited heavy or commercial vehicles from stopping or parking on carriageways or paved shoulders unless situated in designated bays or lay-bys.

Furthermore, the court also forbade the establishment of any new commercial structures, including eateries and dhabas, within the right of way of national highways. This is part of a broader strategy to ensure safer conditions on roads frequented by high-speed traffic.

The court had also mandated that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, along with the NHAI, identify areas known for frequent accidents and compile a comprehensive list of such accident blackspots on national highways. This initiative aims to address the alarming statistics indicating that while national highways make up approximately 2 per cent of India’s total road length, they account for nearly 30 per cent of road fatalities.

In its observations, the court articulated the critical need for improved administrative oversight and infrastructure on highways to prevent these roads from becoming hazardous. As safety remains a priority, the upcoming hearing on October 13 will continue to focus on mitigating risks associated with encroachments and unauthorised parking on national highways.

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