Overview
The Supreme Court has issued a landmark 13‑point directive to curb road fatalities on National Highways. Triggered by 34 deaths in two November 2025 accidents, the order frames a safe commuting environment as a facet of the Right to Life. The directives are issued under Article 21 and the extraordinary powers of Article 142.
Key Developments (13‑Point Blueprint)
- No heavy or commercial vehicle may park on the carriageway or paved shoulder of a National Highway except at designated bays, lay‑bys or wayside amenities.
- Authorities must deploy an ATMS to track violations, generate GPS‑timestamped photographic evidence and issue e‑challans.
- All directives are to be implemented within 60 days of the Court order.
- Construction of new dhabas, eateries or commercial structures within the Right of Way (ROW) of any National Highway is prohibited; existing unauthorised structures must be demolished.
- District Magistrates will enforce demolition and state governments will issue land‑use notifications restricting changes within 40 m (residential) and 75 m (commercial) of the highway median.
- Dedicated highway surveillance teams comprising state police and transport officials (including NHAI) will monitor highways round‑the‑clock.
- Full activation of ATMS with TMCC cameras, VSDS speed detectors, VIDS cameras, variable message signs and emergency call boxes across all four‑ and six‑lane highways.
- Deployment of Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances and recovery cranes at intervals not exceeding 75 km on every National Highway stretch.
- Identification and public posting of accident black‑spots within 45 days, followed by installation of lighting, speed cameras and warning systems.
- Establishment of truck lay‑bys and rest areas with amenities to combat driver fatigue.
- All agencies must submit a consolidated compliance report within 75 days to the Court.
- Licensing authorities to review existing licences and NOCs within highway safety zones; no new approvals without prior clearance.
- Inter‑state coordination mechanism to standardise enforcement protocols nationwide.
Important Facts
National Highways, though only 2% of India’s total road length, are responsible for nearly 30% of all road fatalities. The Court emphasised that a high‑speed roadway must not become a "corridor of peril" due to administrative lapses or infrastructural gaps. The directives target both preventive measures (e.g., parking bans, black‑spot remediation) and emergency response (e.g., ambulances every 75 km).
Exam Relevance
The judgment expands the jurisprudence of Article 21, reinforcing the concept that fundamental rights are positive obligations on the State. Understanding Article 142 is essential for questions on judicial activism. The role of NHAI and the use of ATMS illustrate the intersection of infrastructure policy, technology and constitutional law, a frequent theme in GS 2 and GS 3 papers.
Way Forward
Implementation will require coordinated action by the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, state highway authorities, police, and local administrations. Monitoring mechanisms, periodic compliance reports and strict penalties for violations are crucial to translate the Court’s directives into tangible safety outcomes. Aspirants should track subsequent government orders and state‑level notifications to gauge the effectiveness of these measures and anticipate related UPSC questions on policy implementation and judicial oversight.