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New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India noted that most accidents on expressways are caused due to poor road conditions, especially Rajasthan and Telangana. In a bid to avoid broken patches and potholes, vehicles often lose control or collide with other vehicles, added the SC, while hearing the matter on Monday.
The apex court asked the National Highways Association on India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to submit a report on these highways, detailing the road conditions and whether road developers are following regulations.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, the Telangana and Rajasthan governments should also present their views, the SC said and added that secretaries should also be included as parties. The Supreme Court stated, "After reviewing the condition of expressways in these two states, we will consider this issue at the national level."
It should be noted that the Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of a road accident in Phalodi, Rajasthan. This accident occurred on November 2, when a tempo traveller collided with a truck parked in front of a dhaba on the Bharatmala Highway. Approximately 15 people died on the spot.
Justice JK Maheshwari stated that the situation is such that dhabas are located on the roadside, which is not notified for this purpose. People stop their trucks and go to the dhabas, and other vehicles coming at high speed collide with them.
The SC said, “The public has opened dhabas in areas where space is not available. As a result, vehicles park there. Other vehicles cannot see the vehicles parked on the road and collide with them. We need to understand how this can be controlled.”
This case also involves an accident in Telangana. The Supreme Court took cognizance of the road accidents in Rajasthan and Telangana, which claimed the lives of 18 and 19 people, respectively. The SC stated that the condition of the roads is poor, although tolls are being collected.
The apex court said, “In such circumstances, it is necessary to ask the NHAI and the Ministry of Road Transport to submit a report specifically regarding the two highways where the accidents occurred. This will include a survey conducted within two weeks to indicate the number of roadside eateries located in areas not notified for such facilities.”
The Supreme Court ordered that a report be submitted regarding the condition of the road and the standards followed by contractors during the maintenance period.
