Chhattisgarh HC seeks an affidavit on road safety
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Chhattisgarh HC seeks an affidavit on road safety

The Chhattisgarh High Court, hearing a suo-moto PIL following the deadly accident in Kawardha district that claimed the lives of 19 members of the Baiga tribe on May 21, has directed state and national highway authorities to file an affidavit in compliance with road safety directions.

Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Parth Prateem Sahu of the division bench of the Supreme Court held in the S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India case that affidavits had to contain information on the actions taken, circulars sent, and the status of safety committees.

The National Highway Authority of India in Bilaspur, the regional officer of the National Highway Division in Raipur, and the transport commissioner for Chhattisgarh have all been summoned by the court to submit personal affidavits. The actions performed in response to the Supreme Court's order are to be described in these affidavits. Records of any directives and circulars issued to lower the number of traffic accidents on state and federal routes must also be included. In accordance with directives from the Supreme Court, they must also report on the state and efficacy of district road safety committees. The court's decision was made at the suo-moto public interest lawsuit (PIL) hearing, which was prompted by news accounts of the tragic tragedy that claimed 19 lives. A pick-up truck carrying 36 people was overloaded. The driver and some men jumped off the vehicle to save themselves, but the 19, all of whom were women and girls, died. The vehicle was also carrying 30 sacks of tendu leaves and lacked a fitness certificate and proper indicators. A division bench observed that while providing ex-gratia compensation to the families of the deceased or injured in a car accident may be beneficial in certain cases, when a family member passes away, no matter how much money is given, it will never be able to fill the void left in the dependents' lives, and the family as a whole is destroyed. The state should make every effort to eliminate any potential causes of a road accident fatality and to take all essential precautions. In addition, the PIL has drawn attention to Bilaspur's serious traffic problems, which have resulted in 107 fatalities over the last four years, mostly from drunk driving. There are rumours that the high accident rate is mostly caused by roadside cafes that serve alcohol. Speeding, stray animals, poor road upkeep, insufficient illumination, inadequate signs, and improper patrols are among the problems. The Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety's March 29, 2022 letter was one of the materials the court cited in support of the Supreme Court's ongoing efforts to increase traffic safety. The establishment and functioning of district road safety committees in accordance with Section 315 of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 were covered in this letter. Additionally, a conference held on April 6, 2023, concentrated on harmonising protocols for electronic surveillance and enforcing road safety.

The Chhattisgarh High Court, hearing a suo-moto PIL following the deadly accident in Kawardha district that claimed the lives of 19 members of the Baiga tribe on May 21, has directed state and national highway authorities to file an affidavit in compliance with road safety directions. Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Parth Prateem Sahu of the division bench of the Supreme Court held in the S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India case that affidavits had to contain information on the actions taken, circulars sent, and the status of safety committees. The National Highway Authority of India in Bilaspur, the regional officer of the National Highway Division in Raipur, and the transport commissioner for Chhattisgarh have all been summoned by the court to submit personal affidavits. The actions performed in response to the Supreme Court's order are to be described in these affidavits. Records of any directives and circulars issued to lower the number of traffic accidents on state and federal routes must also be included. In accordance with directives from the Supreme Court, they must also report on the state and efficacy of district road safety committees. The court's decision was made at the suo-moto public interest lawsuit (PIL) hearing, which was prompted by news accounts of the tragic tragedy that claimed 19 lives. A pick-up truck carrying 36 people was overloaded. The driver and some men jumped off the vehicle to save themselves, but the 19, all of whom were women and girls, died. The vehicle was also carrying 30 sacks of tendu leaves and lacked a fitness certificate and proper indicators. A division bench observed that while providing ex-gratia compensation to the families of the deceased or injured in a car accident may be beneficial in certain cases, when a family member passes away, no matter how much money is given, it will never be able to fill the void left in the dependents' lives, and the family as a whole is destroyed. The state should make every effort to eliminate any potential causes of a road accident fatality and to take all essential precautions. In addition, the PIL has drawn attention to Bilaspur's serious traffic problems, which have resulted in 107 fatalities over the last four years, mostly from drunk driving. There are rumours that the high accident rate is mostly caused by roadside cafes that serve alcohol. Speeding, stray animals, poor road upkeep, insufficient illumination, inadequate signs, and improper patrols are among the problems. The Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety's March 29, 2022 letter was one of the materials the court cited in support of the Supreme Court's ongoing efforts to increase traffic safety. The establishment and functioning of district road safety committees in accordance with Section 315 of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 were covered in this letter. Additionally, a conference held on April 6, 2023, concentrated on harmonising protocols for electronic surveillance and enforcing road safety.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Arya Omnitalk Powers India’s Toll Revolution with AI-Driven Solutions

Arya Omnitalk, a leader in intelligent transportation systems, is revolutionising toll collection across India’s national highways with its advanced AI-powered Toll Management Solutions. Designed for rugged remote toll locations, the company’s cutting-edge technology ensures seamless, reliable, and secure tolling—especially during high-capacity operations exceeding 200%. By integrating real-time analytics, cyber protection, and FASTag-based cashless tolling, Arya Omnitalk’s systems are significantly reducing congestion, improving transparency, and enhancing revenue assurance. Its full..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Over 800 Join Anant Raj Runathon to Mark Earth Day

Over 800 participants came together at Anant Raj Estate, Sector 63A, Gurugram, for the Anant Raj Runathon 2025—a vibrant celebration of Earth Day through fitness, community bonding, and sustainability. Curated by renowned running coach Ravinder, the event featured four categories: 10-mile and 5-mile timed runs, a 5-mile walkathon, and a 1-mile kids’ run. Runners of all ages took to the green, scenic roads of the area—some chasing personal bests, others running for a cause. The Runathon was designed to promote healthy living while raising awareness about sustainable practices. Participa..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

PETRONAS Lubricants, Quaker Houghton Ink Strategic Deal

In a significant step towards strengthening industrial operations in India and Malaysia, PETRONAS Lubricants India Pvt. Ltd (PLIPL) and Quaker Houghton have announced a strategic partnership aimed at delivering high-performance industrial fluid solutions to key manufacturing sectors, including steel production. The collaboration combines the strengths of both companies—leveraging PETRONAS Lubricants India’s maintenance lubricant technologies and Quaker Houghton’s deep expertise in metalworking fluids. Starting from the second quarter of 2025, Quaker Houghton will begin offering PETRONAS..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?