Supreme Court news: Flagging data that national highways constitute only about 2 per cent of India’s total road length but account for nearly 30 per cent of all road fatalities, the Supreme Court said that a high-speed roadway “must not become a corridor of peril” due to administrative lapses or infrastructural gaps, stressing that the right to life includes a safe commuting environment.A bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and Atul S Chandurkar was hearing a suo motu writ petition arising out of two fatal accidents in November 2025 in Rajasthan’s Phalodi and Telangana’s Rangareddy districts, which together claimed 34 lives, and examined systemic lapses in highway management and enforcement.“A road, particularly a high-speed Expressway, must not become a corridor of peril due to administrative lethargy or infrastructural gaps. The loss of even a single life to avoidable hazards like illegal parking or blackspots etc., represents a failure of the State’s protective umbrella,’ the court said on April 13. Acting on joint suggestions from the solicitor general and the amicus curiae, the Supreme Court issued a detailed set of time-bound directions. (Image enhanced using AI)Safety constitutional obligationIt is seen that National Highways constitute approximately 2 per cent of India’s total road length but account for nearly 30 per cent of all road fatalities.The ‘Right to Life’ enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India is not merely a guarantee against the unlawful taking of life, but a positive mandate upon the State to ensure a safe environment where human life is preserved and valued.Therefore, recognising the safety of the commuter as an integral facet of the right to live with dignity as a constitutional obligation under Article 21 of Constitution of India, it is necessary in the interest to address the systematic root causes.We reiterate that no pecuniary or administrative constraint can outweigh the sanctity of human life, and the strict timelines provided herein reflect the urgency of this constitutional obligation.These interim directions are issued in exercise of powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India.13-point safety blueprint: Court’s directionsActing on joint suggestions from the solicitor general and the amicus curiae, the Supreme Court issued a detailed set of time-bound directions.(a) Prohibition on authorised parkingNo heavy or commercial vehicle shall park/stop on any national highway carriageway or paved shoulder except at a designated bay, lay-bye or wayside amenity. Enforcement to be through ATMS real-time alerts, GPS-timestamped photographic evidence and integrated e-challan generation, with SOPs and compliance within 60 days, said the Supreme Court.(b) Inspection, survey and citizen grievanceHighway authorities shall, within 30 days, file a consolidated report on inspection teams, encroachments and compliance status, fully operationalise the Rajmargyatra complaint module, helpline 1033, and conduct drone-based surveys with periodic reporting.(c) Encroachment prohibition and removalNo construction or operation of any new dhaba, eatery or commercial structure within the Right of Way, all unauthorised structures to be removed within 60 days as per law and SOP, ordered the Supreme Court.Story continues below this ad(d) Grant and renewal of licence/NOCNo licence, NOC or trade approval shall be granted or renewed within highway safety zones without prior clearance; existing licences to be reviewed within 30 days, said the Supreme Court.(e) District Highway Safety Task ForceEach district to constitute a task force within stipulated time, comprising administration, police and highway authorities, joint responsibility for enforcement, regular meetings, and land-use restrictions near highways to be notified, ordered the Supreme Court.(f) Surveillance, patrolling and illegal parkingDedicated surveillance teams to be set up within 30 days for regular highway patrolling, supported by vehicle tracking systems and continuous monitoring.(g) Operationalisation of ATMSFull activation of Advanced Traffic Management Systems across highways, including cameras, speed detectors, message boards and emergency call boxes, with compliance affidavit within 60 days.Story continues below this ad(h) Emergency response and wayside amenitiesDeployment of ambulances and recovery cranes at intervals not exceeding 75 km to ensure timely emergency response, in line with Article 21 obligations.(i) Construction of truck lay-bye facilitiesEnsure construction of truck lay-bys at regular intervals and operationalisation of wayside amenities with basic facilities like rest areas, food, washrooms and signage.(j) Additional lay-bye facilitiesAuthorities may provide additional lay-bys wherever necessary to allow drivers adequate rest.(k) Accident blackspots and lightingIdentify and publish accident blackspots within 45 days, install lighting, speed cameras and warning systems within prescribed timelines.Story continues below this ad(l) Institutional coordination and road safety committeeSet up an inter-state coordination mechanism to standardise enforcement protocols, surveillance and penalties across states.(m) Compliance reportAll agencies to ensure compliance within timelines and submit consolidated reports before the court within 75 days.These directions, issued under the court’s constitutional powers, form a structured, time-bound framework for improving highway safety nationwide.ConclusionTheSupreme Court directed all implementing agencies, including NHAI and state authorities, to submit compliance reports within 75 days. Story continues below this adCopies of the order have been circulated to chief secretaries and police chiefs across states and union territories to ensure nationwide implementation.With the matter scheduled for further hearing after two months, the Supreme Court’s intervention signals a strong push towards systemic reform in highway safety, placing responsibility squarely on authorities to prevent avoidable tragedies on India’s roads.