New Delhi, May 6: The Supreme Court has taken a tough stance on road safety, issuing a series of directives aimed at reducing accidents and fatalities on India’s national highways.

One of the key measures announced is a ban on illegal parking of heavy and commercial vehicles along highways. Such vehicles will now only be allowed to park at designated spots, with strict monitoring through Automatic Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) and e‑challan mechanisms.

The Court highlighted the alarming statistics: although national highways constitute only 2% of India’s road network, they account for nearly 30% of road accident deaths. To address this, district magistrates have been instructed to remove illegal roadside establishments — including dhabas, shops, and other encroachments — within 60 days.
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A special task force will be formed in every district under the leadership of the District Collector and Superintendent of Police to regularly review road safety. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been directed to deploy ambulances and recovery cranes every 75 km to ensure swift emergency response.

Additionally, within 45 days, all accident‑prone zones or “blackspots” must be identified and equipped with high‑intensity lights and CCTV cameras to improve visibility and surveillance.

The Court also ordered that no residential construction be permitted within 45 meters of the highway’s central line, and no commercial establishments within 75 meters. States have been asked to issue notifications preventing land‑use changes that violate these restrictions.

These directives follow the Supreme Court’s intervention after major accidents in Rajasthan’s Phalodi and Telangana’s Rangareddy districts last November, which claimed 34 lives.

In response, Transport Department Principal Secretary N.B.S. Rajput has written to senior officials, including the DGP, Commissioners, and NHAI regional officers, outlining immediate steps to comply. A comprehensive review will be conducted soon, with all departments required to submit progress reports.

The Court’s orders mark a decisive push to strengthen road safety, reduce fatalities, and enforce accountability across states, ensuring that India’s highways become safer for commuters.