By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Sambalpur MP Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has written a letter to Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi seeking steps to prevent the increasing number of road accidents due to illegal and dangerous parking of commercial and large vehicles on national and state highways in various major mining and industrial areas of the state.
Shri Pradhan mentioned in his letter that road accidents are increasing day by day due to illegal and dangerous parking of trucks on the roads in the mining and industrial corridors of the state, lining them for kilometers. Such incidents are especially seen on the national and state highways, and the lack of logistics chain by the mining companies or the lack of designated parking is creating a serious threat to road safety. However, the state government has a direct constitutional mandate and strong legal powers to prevent this.
Firstly, the Hon’ble Supreme Court in its reportable order dated April 13, 2026 in the Suo Moto WP (C) No. 9 of 2025 has clearly held that safe movement on highways is an integral part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution. In exercise of its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has issued mandatory interim orders that no large and commercial vehicles can be parked on any national highway or any place intended for vehicular movement except in designated parking spaces. In addition, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has directed that the District Magistrate and SP will be responsible for eliminating illegal parking through 24-hour patrolling teams, automated e-challan system and District Road Safety Task Force.
Secondly, the state has its own Odisha State Highways Authority Act, 2025, which provides for strict administrative, financial and criminal penalties against drivers, transport operators and industrial companies who violate the rules. Section 28 provides for mandatory fines ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 against those found driving dangerously on the roads and the power to auction the seized vehicles if the fine is not collected after a month.
Shri Pradhan has sought the intervention of the Chief Minister to restore law and order in the state, ensure public safety and strengthen accountability. He has mentioned in the letter that all the concerned departments of the Odisha Government should be issued public awareness notices and strict instructions should be given to impound vehicles under Section 72. Besides, corporate liability should be imposed under Section 76 against the industrial and mining establishments whose vehicles are causing traffic jams on the highways. Similarly, District Road Safety Task Force should be made operational for regular reviews and mining operators should be compelled to construct off-highway holding yards with basic amenities. The cost of human life is not greater than any industrial or administrative inconvenience. Shri Pradhan expressed the hope that if speedy and punitive legal action is taken against the violators, our highways will become corridors of progress instead of corridors of danger, Shri Pradhan expressed the hope that
