Supreme Court seeks NHAI report on Phalodi accident
15 pilgrims, including four children and 10 women, were killed at Phalodi in Rajasthan.
The Supreme Court today has directed the National Highways Authority of India to file a report before it over the recent accident in Rajasthan's Phalodi where a tempo traveller collided with a stationary bus on November 2, 2025.
"18-19 lives have been lost. The reasons for such loss of life have been reported..they include bad road conditions..lack of parking space..in such circumstances it is essential to ask NHAI, Ministry of Highways and Transport to submit a report with respect to the Highways where the accident took place", a Justice JK Maheshwari led bench observed today while hearing a suo motu case registered by it last week.
The bench also comprising Justice Vijay Bishnoi has ordered, "The report should indicate how many dhabas are situated on the highways, the road conditions, the norms followed by the contractors during the period of maintenance. The MHA be also joined as a party and be noticed."
Court noted today that dhabas are situated on the side of the road which is not notified for this. "People stop their trucks and go to the dhabas. And the other vehicles coming on speed collide with them. We have to understand how this can be regulated.", the bench added.
Owing to the accident, at least 15 people died, while two others have been seriously injured. “Fifteen people have lost their lives in a road accident in Phalodi district. Two are injured. The injured persons are undergoing treatment. The affected family have our full support,” the Police Commissioner was quoted saying.
Notably, the traveller was carrying pilgrims from the Mali community, belonging to the Soorsagar area of Jodhpur, who had gone on a pilgrimage to Kolayat in Bikaner district.
As per eyewitness trucks are often haphazardly parked along the route after small roadside eateries sprung up along the Bharatmala Highway. News reports state that the tempo traveller was attempting to overtake another truck when it collided with the stationary trailer parked in front of a dhaba.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma e instructed officials to ensure all possible assistance to the victims' families and proper medical care for the injured.
Case Title: IN RE: PHALODI ACCIDENT
Hearing Date: November 10, 2025
Bench: Justices Maheshwari and Bishnoi