A lawyer representing the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) sparked a controversy when he questioned why people left their homes early with no work during a court hearing about a 40-hour traffic jam on a highway in Madhya Pradesh, which resulted in the deaths of three people. Amid the outrage, the NHAI said a show-cause notice was issued against the lawyer and that his remarks did not reflect the highway body's official version.
According to reports, the lawyer's remarks came during the Madhya Pradesh High Court hearing of a case regarding the over-eight-kilometre traffic jam on the Indore-Dewas highway, with more than 4,000 vehicles being stranded on June 27. Amid the traffic jam, three people died, including two who reportedly died of heart attacks and one who died before reaching the hospital.
"In reference to news regarding the remark made by an advocate representing NHAI during the hearing of a PIL about a traffic jam on June 30, 2025, in the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Indore Bench, it is hereby clarified that the remark by the advocate does not represent the official version of NHAI," the highway body wrote on X.
"The remark from the advocate was made without any authorisation from NHAI. Accordingly, a show-cause notice has been served to the advocate," it said.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court heard a plea filed by an individual who was stuck in the bumper traffic jam, and involved Justices Vivek Rusia and Binod Kumar Dwivedi.
The bench issued notices to multiple parties, including NHAI's Delhi and Indore offices, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Indore Collector, the city's Police Commissioner, as well as the construction and toll companies involved.
The court sought detailed responses within seven days to ascertain accountability and prevent such incidents in the future.
The massive traffic jam on the Indore-Dewas highway intensified scrutiny of NHAI's road management and maintenance practices, especially since the jam was reportedly caused by delays linked to a 10-day crusher unit strike, despite the highway body claiming it had requested three to four months for roadwork completion.
Source: India Today