Relevance: GS II (Polity & Governance) & GS III (Infrastructure & Road Safety) | Source: The Hindu / Indian Express

1. The Main Event: What Just Happened?

Recently, the Supreme Court of India took up a case on its own (suo motu) after 34 people tragically died in highway accidents in Rajasthan and Telangana.

• The Historic Ruling: The Court officially declared that safe travel on highways is not just a traffic issue; it is a core part of a citizen’s Right to Life (Article 21).
• The Message: The state administration has a constitutional duty to protect citizens from preventable road accidents.

2. The Shocking Reality (Why the Court Stepped In)

The Supreme Court highlighted a terrifying statistical imbalance on our roads:

• The 2% vs. 30% Rule: National Highways (NH) make up only 2% of India’s total road network. Shockingly, this tiny 2% accounts for 30% of all road accident deaths in the country.
• The Court’s Warning: The Court strictly warned the administration that high-speed expressways cannot be allowed to become “corridors of peril” (death traps) just because of lazy administration and poor infrastructure.

3. Strict Orders for the Administration

The judgment imposes strict, immediate duties on the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and state police forces:

• The “Positive Mandate”: The Court stated that the Right to Life is a “positive mandate.” This means the government cannot just sit back; it must take active, preventive steps to ensure the environment is safe for human survival.
• Ban on Highway Dhabas: The Court ordered an immediate ban on the construction of any new dhabas, eateries, or commercial shops directly on the safety margins (right-of-way) of National Highways.
• Strict Parking Rules: Heavy commercial trucks are now strictly banned from parking dangerously on the roadside edges (shoulders). They must only park in officially designated rest areas.

4. The Way Forward for Administration

Historically, whenever an accident happened in India, the administration easily blamed it on “driver error.” This judgment shifts the burden of responsibility to the road builders and the government.

• Change in Mindset: The administration must move away from an “expansion-only” model (just boasting about building more kilometers of roads) to a “safety-centric” model.
• Action Plan: This requires mandatory safety audits by independent experts before a highway is opened to the public, heavy penalties for corrupt officials who allow illegal roadside dhabas, and the use of modern AI cameras to quickly catch illegal parking.

The Trap

• The “Fundamental Right” Trap: UPSC often tries to confuse the specific Articles. An exam statement might say: “The Supreme Court has interpreted the right to safe travel on highways exclusively under the Freedom of Movement (Article 19).” Incorrect. While Article 19 deals with moving freely, the Court explicitly rooted protection from preventable road deaths in the Right to Life (Article 21) because it is a matter of human survival.

UPSC Value Box

Formal Term / Body	Simple Meaning
Brasilia Declaration (2015)	A major UN declaration signed by India. It legally commits nations to take strict administrative steps to cut global traffic deaths and injuries by half (50%).
K.S. Radhakrishnan Committee	A special expert committee appointed by the Supreme Court specifically to advise the government on Road Safety rules.
IRAD	Integrated Road Accident Database. A digital platform funded by the World Bank. The police use it to scientifically identify “Blackspots” (deadly stretches of road where accidents happen repeatedly) so they can be fixed.
Positive Mandate of Article 21	The legal principle that the State is not just required to avoid killing you, but is actively required to create a safe environment that protects your life.

With reference to road safety frameworks and constitutional rights in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Supreme Court has declared that protection from avoidable road accidents is an integral part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
2. The Integrated Road Accident Database (IRAD) is an initiative jointly developed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the World Bank.
3. The Brasilia Declaration, to which India is a signatory, aims to completely eliminate the use of fossil-fuel vehicles on National Highways by 2030.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (a)