Supreme Court Directs States to Prevent Cattle From Roaming Roads, Orders Compensation for Accident Victims

In a significant ruling aimed at improving road safety, the Supreme Court has directed all states and Union Territories to take effective measures to prevent cattle from straying onto roads and highways. The apex court also instructed authorities to ensure that victims of accidents caused by stray cattle are provided with appropriate compensation.

The order comes amid growing concern over the increasing number of road accidents linked to unattended cattle, particularly on highways and in urban areas.

States Asked to Take Preventive Measures

The Supreme Court observed that allowing cattle to roam freely on public roads poses a serious threat to motorists, pedestrians and the animals themselves.

The bench directed state governments and local authorities to implement effective mechanisms to identify, capture and rehabilitate stray cattle while ensuring better coordination among municipal bodies, police and animal husbandry departments.

The court stressed that preventive action is essential to reduce accidents and safeguard public lives.

Compensation for Accident Victims

Recognising the human cost of such incidents, the apex court directed states to establish mechanisms for compensating people injured or the families of those killed in accidents involving stray cattle.

The court observed that citizens should not suffer due to administrative failures in managing stray animals and emphasized that governments have a responsibility to ensure safer roads.

Authorities were asked to process compensation claims in a timely and transparent manner.

Road Safety a Key Concern

The Supreme Court noted that stray cattle have become a recurring cause of road accidents across several parts of the country.

High-speed highways and busy city roads are particularly vulnerable, with sudden encounters with animals often resulting in fatal crashes involving two-wheelers, cars and heavy vehicles.

The court underlined that effective enforcement and long-term planning are necessary to address the issue.

Need for Better Infrastructure

The bench also highlighted the importance of strengthening cattle shelters, improving animal management systems and ensuring that livestock owners take responsibility for their animals.

Experts have long argued that better waste management, improved cattle shelters and stricter enforcement of existing laws could significantly reduce the number of stray animals on roads.

States Expected to Act Promptly

The Supreme Court's directions place the responsibility on state governments and local civic bodies to develop comprehensive strategies for tackling the problem.

Officials are expected to review existing measures, strengthen enforcement and ensure compliance with the court's directives to improve road safety.

The judgment is likely to have far-reaching implications for road safety policies across the country, particularly in states where stray cattle-related accidents have become a persistent concern.