NHAI moves Supreme Court to modify order on removing stray animals from highways

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approached the Supreme Court seeking a modification of its order directing the removal of stray cattle and other animals from public roads and highways.

Making an oral mention before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the NHAI, submitted that the authority cannot herd stray animals off thoroughfares or arrange shelter homes for them. He said the duty to manage and discipline animals loitering on roads, which pose a danger to motorists, rests with the respective local authorities.

The NHAI told the court that carrying out the direction would involve an expenditure of around ₹7,000 crore. Mr. Mehta asked the Chief Justice to constitute a Bench so that the authority could formally move its plea for a modification of the direction.

The obligation stems from a November 2025 order passed by a Bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath in suo motu proceedings concerning attacks by stray dogs. That order directed States and Union Territories to remove stray dogs "forthwith" from the premises of educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands and depots, and railway stations, and to relocate them to designated shelters after sterilisation and vaccination in line with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

The Bench had noted that accidents involving cattle and other stray animals on public roads and highways were frequent. On that basis, it concluded that the NHAI, along with transport and municipal authorities, should ensure such animals are removed from highways. The court directed that the animals be relocated to suitable shelters, gaushalas or cattle pounds, where they are to receive adequate food, water and veterinary care.

The order also required authorities to set up dedicated highway patrol units for continuous surveillance. These patrols were to operate round the clock and display helpline numbers prominently along highways so that commuters could promptly report the presence of stray animals or accidents caused by them.

The Bench had further directed the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories, along with the Chairperson of the NHAI, to ensure strict enforcement of the directions through administrative orders and field-level monitoring, and to hold concerned officers personally accountable for lapses or recurring incidents in their jurisdictions.