The Uttarakhand High Court has expressed serious concern over National Highways Negligence after taking suo motu cognisance of rising accidents linked to unregulated cuts created during highway widening in Kathgodam, Lalkuan, Gorapadav and Teenpani. The court noted that despite earlier directions, no visible corrective action has taken place on the ground.
Our correspondent reports that the division bench of Chief Justice G. Narendar and Justice Subhash Upadhyay questioned why the National Highways Authority repeatedly files reports only when cases are listed, and not as part of a continuous compliance process. The court directed that the report submitted in the matter be shared with the petitioner for review.
The bench also asked the petitioner to submit suggestions on steps required to reduce accidents in the affected stretches. Our correspondent adds that the court stressed that highway construction should follow mandated standards and that any structural or safety deficiencies must be evaluated without delay.
According to case records, villagers from Lalkuan had written to the Chief Justice seeking intervention. In addition, a public interest litigation was filed by Bhuvan Chandra Pokhriyal of Chorgaliya, Haldwani, highlighting the dangerous cuts created during the widening work.
The letter from villagers stated that the unplanned cuts at Kathgodam, Lalkuan, Gorapadav and Teenpani had resulted in 14 deaths within the past eight months. Dozens of others suffered serious injuries and required treatment in private hospitals. The petition further said that the poorly designed road openings created confusion for motorists and contributed significantly to repeated collisions.
The petitioner requested the court to direct the National Highways Authority to compensate families of those who died and individuals who were injured. The plea argued that the authority failed to ensure basic safety measures and therefore held responsibility for the loss of life.
During the hearing, the court remarked that the national highway should have been constructed strictly according to approved safety norms. The judges asked what deficiencies in the highway design or construction were responsible for the accidents and why no corrective work was visible despite earlier orders.
The court directed authorities to examine all accident sites, assess the design of the cuts and determine whether the road layout contributed to the repeated incidents. Officials were instructed to carry out a full review of the engineering features and traffic flow patterns in the affected stretches.
The bench further stated that measures to control overspeeding must be implemented, including the placement of appropriate speed breakers at vulnerable points. It added that road safety cannot be compromised under any circumstances and that immediate steps are necessary to prevent further loss of life.
Officials from the highway authority acknowledged receiving the court’s direction and will submit their compliance report in the next hearing. The court emphasised that ensuring road safety was not optional and that public welfare must remain the priority during all construction and widening work.
The matter will be taken up again after the petitioner files recommendations and the authorities present revised action plans. The court also signalled that stronger orders may follow if lapses continue. The proceedings will continue as the bench monitors the implementation of safety measures.
Dheeraj reports on governance, public services, jobs, and regional developments across Uttarakhand. He specialises in recruitment news, public-sector updates, and civic issues that impact everyday citizens. His reporting brings accuracy, context, and a grassroots perspective to local journalism.
