Kerala High Court Faults Authorities Over Road Safety and Reckless Heavy Vehicles

The Kerala High Court has criticised State authorities for not doing enough to improve roads and footpaths and to curb irresponsible driving by heavy vehicles.

Justice Devan Ramachandran directed the Kochi Corporation and the Kochi Commissioner of Police to report on the steps taken to address concerns relating to roads, streetlights and footpaths. The National Highways Authority of India was also asked to file a statement on the status and condition of highway construction along the Edapally-Chavakkad stretch.

The court was told by the amicus curiae that heavy vehicles, including private buses, were being driven recklessly on public roads, putting every road user at risk.

The court referred to a recent incident in which an employee of a private bus was alleged to have accosted travellers in a car. The police informed the court that necessary action had been taken against the employee.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) told the court that regular campaigns would be conducted to reduce traffic incidents in the city, especially those involving heavy vehicles. Private bus drivers and employees would be subjected to police verification, and character certificates would be issued as appropriate.

The court observed that heavy vehicles had a responsibility to conduct themselves carefully and to ensure that other road users were not harmed.

It expressed dissatisfaction that, despite assurances recorded from the authorities concerned, road safety was not being given due importance, particularly at zebra crossings, pedestrian areas and other locations with high population density.