Telangana HC takes up PIL on alarming road mishaps, activist flags potholes and liquor outlets

The Telangana High Court on Wednesday heard a PIL filed by activist SQ Masood highlighting the alarming rise in fatal road accidents across the state. The petition blamed potholes, poor road signage, and liquor outlets along highways for the mishaps, and sought strict enforcement of road safety laws.

By Our Legal Correspondent 

Hyderabad: Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday heard a public interest litigation raising concerns over the alarming rise in fatal road accidents in the State, allegedly caused by unaddressed potholes, inadequate road signage and the easy accessibility of liquor along National and State Highways and radial roads adjoining them. 

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The PIL was filed by social activist SQ Masood, who highlighted several major road accidents reported in Telangana in recent years and sought effective measures to ensure the safety of road users. 

Counsel Deepak Misra, representing the petitioner, submitted that the recent accident at Chevella/Mirzaguda in Ranga Reddy district, which reportedly claimed more than 20 lives, was among the tragic incidents that underscored the need for immediate intervention. 

It was contended that the accident involved an RTC bus and a speeding, heavily loaded tipper lorry, which allegedly swerved while attempting to avoid a pothole on the two-lane highway. The petitioner also pointed out that the widening of the road had been delayed due to litigation concerning the felling of trees. 

The counsel further argued that the State and District Road Safety Councils and Committees, required to function under the Motor Vehicles Act, were either non-functional or not being convened regularly. It was also alleged that the authorities had failed to undertake scientific road safety audits to identify and address hazardous stretches. 

Despite directions issued by the Supreme Court from time to time regarding road safety, the State had not taken effective steps to prevent avoidable accidents and ensure safer road conditions, the petitioner contended. Among the various reliefs sought, the petitioner urged strict enforcement of Section 198A of the Motor Vehicles Act, which provides for liability of authorities and contractors for failure to comply with prescribed standards relating to the design, construction and maintenance of roads. 

Taking the PIL on file, the Bench directed the State Government and the Union Government to file their responses within four weeks. The Bench also directed that the National Highways Authority of India be impleaded as a respondent in the PIL.