The Supreme Court on Monday took suo motu cognizance of the tragic road accident in Phalodi, Rajasthan, in which 15 people died and many were injured.
Justice J.K. A bench of Justices Maheshwari and Justice Vijay Vishnoi expressed deep concern over the safety of highways and directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to file a detailed status report within two weeks giving details of the number and condition of dhabas and other establishments located on the national highways of Rajasthan. Along with this, the court also called for a report regarding the road conditions.
The bench asked senior advocate A.S. Appointed Nadkarni as amicus curiae in the case and directed that the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan be impleaded as a party so that he files a status report in the case. Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma, appearing for the Rajasthan government, assured the court that the state government will fully cooperate and assist the court in every way on this important issue.
The court further took cognizance of a similar road accident at Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh and directed that the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh be made a party so that a coordinated policy and approach could be adopted for national highway safety and regulation of roadside structures.
