SC seeks response from NHAI after Rajasthan accident killed 15
What's the story
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways after taking suo motu cognizance of fatal highway accidents in Rajasthan and Telangana. The action came after a tragic road accident in Rajasthan's Phalodi on November 2, which killed 15 people, including four children and 10 women. The accident occurred when a tempo traveler collided with a stationary trailer truck near Matoda village on the Bharat Mala Highway.
Investigation directive
Court orders survey of area
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices J K Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi, has asked the NHAI and the ministry to respond in two weeks. The court also ordered a survey of the area and a report on the number of dhabas on the highway. "Dhabas have been opened...on areas which are not available for them to open. In consequence, vehicles go and park there. The other vehicles....not [seeing] the standing vehicles on the road, collide with such vehicles," it stated.
Aftermath efforts
Ministry of Home Affairs, Union oadded as party
"People stop their trucks and go to the dhabas. And the other vehicles coming on speed collide with them. We have to understand how this can be regulated," Justice Maheshwari said. The bench sought specific details about highway conditions and maintenance norms followed by road contractors in Phalodi. The court also ordered that the Ministry of Home Affairs, Union of India, be included as a party, together with the Chief Secretaries of the respective States through which the highways pass.
Safety concerns
Eyewitness account of the accident
Eyewitness Mahipal Saran said trucks are often parked haphazardly along the route due to small roadside eateries. This may have contributed to the accident, as the speeding tempo traveler was trying to overtake another truck when it hit a stationary trailer in front of a dhaba. The impact trapped passengers inside, with many bodies stuck in twisted metal and seats.