In a major step to improve road safety and animal welfare, the Supreme Court has directed both national and state authorities to immediately remove all stray animals, including cattle, from highways and expressways under their jurisdiction. The Court emphasised that these roads must be cleared of strays to prevent accidents and ensure safer travel conditions for commuters across the country.
Identification and Relocation to Shelters
The bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria issued comprehensive directions, partly affirming a previous Rajasthan High Court order. Authorities, including municipal bodies, road and transport departments, public works departments, and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), have been instructed to identify highways and expressways frequently visited by stray animals. Once identified, immediate steps must be taken to remove and relocate these animals to designated shelters.
Care and Legal Compliance
The Court further ordered that the relocated cattle and stray animals must be kept in proper shelters and provided with necessary veterinary care, strictly in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. This ensures that while public safety is prioritised, animal welfare is not neglected.
Patrol Teams to be Formed
To ensure ongoing monitoring and swift response, the Supreme Court directed the formation of dedicated highway patrol teams. These patrols, functioning 24/7, will coordinate with local police, veterinary officers, and municipal authorities to address reports of stray animals obstructing roadways. Existing road safety units may also be assigned to handle such cases effectively.
Helpline Numbers
All national and state highways, as well as expressways, must prominently display helpline numbers at regular intervals. These helplines will allow commuters to report stray animal sightings or road accidents involving them. The helpline systems are to be directly linked with local police control rooms, the NHAI, and district administrations for real-time response and monitoring.
Accountability and Monitoring Mechanism
The Court made it clear that the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories (UTs), along with the Chairperson of the NHAI, are responsible for ensuring strict enforcement of these directions. They must personally oversee field-level monitoring and hold officers accountable for lapses or repeated incidents.
Eight-Week Deadline for Compliance
To ensure immediate action, the Supreme Court directed that compliance affidavits be filed within eight weeks. These affidavits must include details about mechanisms established for the removal and sheltering of stray animals, patrol team formation, operational helplines, and the installation of signboards displaying helpline numbers.
This landmark order aims to make Indian highways safer while promoting responsible animal protection practices through structured coordination between national, state, and local authorities.
