Panaji: Following directions from the Supreme Court, state govt has decided to conduct periodic inspections along national highways to identify unauthorised parking, encroachments and stray cattle, with the aim of reducing fatal accidents.State govt has constituted a seven-member inspection squad to carry out the exercise.“In case of stray cattle, the inspection squad shall immediately contact the animal husbandry & veterinary services and goushalas for impounding such cattle along the national highway. The inspection squad shall submit a fortnightly report to the district magistrate,” North Goa collector Ankit Yadav said.The state recorded a significant decline in road accident fatalities in May 2026 compared with the corresponding month last year. According to Goa police’s traffic cell, the number of fatal accidents and deaths fell by 24% in 2026.However, road accidents increased by 9% in May 2026. A total of 242 accidents were reported, compared with 221 in May 2025. Grievous accidents also rose sharply by 75%, from 20 cases in May 2025 to 35 in May 2026.In a suo motu petition, the Supreme Court observed that national highways account for nearly 30% of road fatalities despite constituting only about 2% of India’s total road network.“A road, particularly a high-speed expressway, must not become a corridor of peril due to administrative lethargy or infrastructural gaps. The loss of even a single life to avoidable hazards like illegal parking or blackspots etc., represents a failure of the state’s protective umbrella,” the SC observed.“The Right to Life enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India is not merely a guarantee against the unlawful taking of life, but a positive mandate upon the state to ensure a safe environment where human life is preserved and valued,” the court said.The SC further observed that commuter safety is an integral facet of the right to live with dignity under Article 21 and that the interim directions were issued to address the systemic causes of accidents under its powers granted by Article 142 of the Constitution.“We reiterate that no pecuniary or administrative constraint can outweigh the sanctity of human life, and the strict timelines provided herein reflect the urgency of this constitutional obligation. The registry of this court is further directed to send a copy of this order to the chief secretary/administrator and director general of police of all states and union territories, state legal services authorities, and National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited,” the SC said.The court also observed that the authorities concerned should coordinate with all stakeholders to ensure compliance with its directions. It clarified that parties may approach the court in case of any difficulties in implementation.
