HC tells Mah govt to install CCTV cameras on National Highways

The Bombay High Court has asked the Maharashtra Government to install CCTV cameras at all the lamp posts on National Highways across the state to detect over-speeding of vehicles and avoid accidents.
The suggestion came from a bench headed by Justice Ajay Khanwilkar yesterday on a PIL praying for a direction to the state to ensure medical help to the victims within one hour of sustaining injuries in accidents on the Highways.
The Court further suggested that while hiring road contractors for repairs on the Highways, a clause should be inserted in the agreements providing for CCTVs on lamp posts.

This would ensure that CCTVs would be in place on the Highways and they should be connected with the control room so that the vehicular movement could be constantly monitored to prevent accidents, the bench observed.
Armin Wandrewala, who appeared as Amicus Curiae (friend of the Court) in the matter, said that in Mumbai about 51 per cent of CCTV cameras were not functioning at all.
The PIL contended that most of the accidents take place on highways due to over-speeding and overloading of vehicles. Also, speeding vehicles change lanes frequently thereby inviting accidents.
It prayed that the victims should get timely help within an hour of sustaining injuries which might save their lives.