Indian roads are giant killers, immediate remedial action

Indian roads have proved to be giant killers demanding immediate remedial action, the Supreme court said.
The apex court appointed a three-member committee, headed by its judge Justice K S Radhakrishnan, to monitor steps taken by the Centre and state governments to ensure road safety and to curb growing number of accidents.
It directed all government departments which are looking after multi-dimensional issues pertaining to road safety to submit their first report to the Committee within three months on implementation and enforcement of laws pertaining to licensing, certification of fitness of vehicles and use of road safety devices and other related issues.

"The facts mentioned above would leave no room for doubt that Indian roads have proved to be giant killers demanding immediate attention and remedial action," a bench, headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam, said while referring to data of growing road accidents and death caused due to it.
The court, however, clarified the committee, also comprising former Secretary of Road Transport Ministry S Sundar and Nishi Mittal, ex-chief Scientist, will be functional from May 15 as Justice Radhakrishnan is to retire on May 14.
"To ensure the success of the process undertaken, constant supervision of this Court of the measures undertaken by the central government and state governments and the extent of affirmative action on the part of the Union and the states will have to be measured and monitored by the Court from time to time.

"Keeping in mind that the time available to this Court is limited, we deem it proper to constitute a Committee to undertake the process of monitoring on behalf of the Court," it said.