Court Stunned by NHAI Advocate&rsquo;s Remark Amid Fatal Traffic Jam Hearing
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The Madhya Pradesh High Court was taken aback during proceedings on Tuesday when counsel representing the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) made a remark that sparked dismay across the courtroom. While responding to a PIL over the 40-hour traffic jam that paralysed the Indore-Dewas highway last week and reportedly caused three deaths, the NHAI advocate questioned, &ldquo;Why do people even leave so early without any work?&rdquo; &ndash; a submission that drew audible shock from observers present in the courtroom.
The Bench comprising Justice Vivek Rusia and Justice Binod Kumar Dwivedi was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Dewas-based advocate Anand Adhikari. The petition highlighted the administrative chaos and severe human toll caused by the unprecedented congestion that began on Friday, 27 June, and persisted into Saturday, trapping thousands of vehicles over an 8-kilometre stretch.
Three deaths have been directly linked to the traffic gridlock, with tragic accounts emerging during the hearing.
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Kamal Panchal, a 62-year-old farmer from Bijalpur, Indore, was travelling with his family to attend a post-funeral ceremony for his sister when their vehicle was halted near Arjun Baroda village due to a diversion. Stricken by chest discomfort and confined within the immobile vehicle for over 90 minutes without medical aid, Panchal eventually succumbed en route to a hospital in Dewas after traffic finally cleared.
In another instance, 32-year-old Sandeep Patel from Gari Pipalya, who had been referred for urgent treatment at a larger hospital in Indore, died following a suspected cardiac event after the ambulance he was travelling in remained stuck near Talavli Chanda and Dewas Naka for over three hours.
The third victim, 55-year-old Balram Patel from Shujalpur, passed away after both of the oxygen cylinders available in his vehicle failed during the extended traffic standstill. Despite his family&rsquo;s efforts to navigate through the jam and keep him stabilised, Patel died before reaching medical assistance.
The NHAI, an autonomous government body overseeing the national highway network, was represented in court by Advocate Anita Sharma. In her submission, Sharma attributed the traffic snarl to ongoing construction activities being carried out by a private contractor near Mangalia.
The Bench sought clarity on whether the eventual dispersal of the jam was facilitated by the arrival of Members of Parliament or ministers at the scene, hinting at possible administrative apathy and delayed response.
The court directed the NHAI, the Collector of Indore, and other responsible authorities to furnish detailed responses within seven days. The matter is now scheduled for further hearing next week. The Bench has made it clear that it expects comprehensive accountability and a preventive traffic management strategy to avert future disasters of this nature.
The petition underscores serious lapses in planning and real-time coordination, which, as the courtroom heard, translated into tragic consequences for families who had no means to escape the gridlock. The proceedings continue to draw public and legal scrutiny as calls for institutional accountability grow louder.

Heavy Traffic Jam on Indore-Devas road (file photos)

MP High Court seeks answers as fatal jam triggers outrage over NHAI counsel’s courtroom remark

Court Shocked by NHAI Remark on Deadly Traffic Jam

MP High Court seeks answers as fatal jam triggers outrage over NHAI counsel’s courtroom remark

July 2, 2025 | 13:51 IST