HC directs NHAI to file report on Automated Speed Detection Radar Cameras, Speed Indication Display Systems installed along Madurai - Theni Highway

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to file a report on the number of Automated Speed Detection Radar Cameras and Speed Indication Display Systems installed on the Madurai - Theni Highway corridor in compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

A Division Bench of Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and R. Sakthivel also sought details with regard to stage carriage private buses operating along the Madurai - Theni, Bodi, Cumbum, Kumuly and Thevaram routes.

The court was hearing the public interest litigation petition filed by advocate P. Praveen Kumar of Peraiyur in Madurai district. The petitioner said according to the information obtained under the Right to Information Act, between 2018 and 2026, a total of 463 accidents were recorded on the highway stretch.

Under Section 136A of the Motor Vehicles Act, the State government is duty bound to monitor road safety using modern technology like speed cameras, CCTV cameras and speed guns on National and State Highways. Despite this legal duty, authorities concerned have not installed any automated speed cameras or electronic monitoring systems along the highway route, he said.

He sought a direction to authorities to install Automated Speed Detection Radar Cameras, Radar Speed Guns, and Speed Indication Display Systems along the Madurai - Theni Highway corridor in compliance with Section 136A and Section 112 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

He also sought a direction to authorities to mandatorily inspect, calibrate and enforce Speed Governors in all stage carriage private buses operating along the Madurai-Theni, Bodi, Cumbum, Kumuly, and Thevaram routes.

Further, he sought a direction to authorities to seize and remove all prohibited multi-toned and high-decibel air horns from private buses in strict adherence to Rule 119 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The court has sought a report and posted the matter for hearing to October 12.