NHAI Seeks Modification Of Supreme Court Order On Highway Strays
· India · The Hindu, ANI
The National Highways Authority of India has asked the Supreme Court to modify a November 2025 order that directed it to remove stray animals from highways and relocate them to shelter homes. Appearing before Chief Justice Surya Kant on September 21, 2026, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that disciplining loitering cattle is the responsibility of local municipal and transport authorities. The NHAI stated that complying with the original directive would require an expenditure of approximately ₹7,000 crore. The initial order was issued in suo motu proceedings by a Bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath following frequent accidents caused by stray animals on public roads. Law officers requested the Chief Justice to constitute the appropriate Bench to hear the modification plea.
Why it matters
The outcome will determine whether national highway operators or local municipal authorities bear the financial and operational burden of managing stray cattle on Indian roads.
Read the original report — The Hindu
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