The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre, States, and UTs on a plea seeking steps to prevent stray cattle from entering national and state highways. The plea also demands highway fencing, cattle shelters, penalties for abandonment, and compensation for accident victims.
The Supreme Court of India on Monday took up an important issue concerning the rising number of accidents caused by stray cattle on roads and highways across the country. The Court was hearing a plea that asked authorities to take proper steps to ensure that stray cattle do not enter national and state highways, as such incidents often lead to serious road accidents and loss of lives.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the Central Government and other authorities, including all States and Union Territories, and asked them to file their responses within four weeks.
The Court was hearing a petition that highlighted the danger posed by stray cattle on highways and requested the Court to issue directions for a nationwide policy to deal with this growing problem.
The petition has asked the authorities to create and implement uniform national guidelines to prevent cattle from entering highways. The plea points out that the issue is not limited to one state but is a nationwide problem, and therefore a uniform policy is necessary to properly address it.
The plea was filed by Lawyers For Human Rights International. In the petition, several important measures were suggested to reduce accidents caused by stray cattle. These include mandatory fencing of national highways and expressways, especially in areas where accidents frequently happen.
The petition also suggested that the government should establish scientifically managed cattle shelters or gaushalas with proper funding so that abandoned cattle can be kept safely and do not wander onto roads.
Another important suggestion in the petition is the imposition of strict penalties on people who illegally abandon their cattle. The plea states that many cattle owners leave their animals on the roads after they stop producing milk or become old, which creates serious traffic hazards.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court Slams NHAI Over Phalodi Highway Accident, Flags Fog Risks & Illegal Dhabas
The petition has also asked for the creation of a no-fault compensation system for victims of road accidents caused by stray cattle. This means that victims should receive compensation without having to prove who was at fault, as such accidents are often sudden and unavoidable.
The Supreme Court has now asked the Centre, States, and Union Territories to respond to the plea, and the matter will be heard again after the responses are filed. The case is important because it deals with road safety, public safety, and government responsibility, and the Court’s decision may lead to new national rules to prevent accidents caused by stray cattle on highways across India.
Click Here to Read More On Highway Safety
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
