'Why Step Out So Early?' NHAI Asks After 3 Die In Massive Traffic Jam

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is facing outrage over a shocking comment made by its lawyer in court. The comment came after a massive 40-hour traffic jam on the Indore-Dewas highway trapped thousands of people and led to the tragic deaths of three men. 

The huge traffic jam stretched for 8 kilometers, trapping over 4,000 vehicles. During which three people  lost their lives: Kamal Panchal, 62, who died of a heart attack, Balram Patel, 55, and Sandeep Patel, 32. 

The nephew of one victim expressed his anger to NDTV, saying, "No one has the time to roam the streets without reason. We were on the road trying to save my uncle's life."

The jam and resulting deaths led advocate Anand Adhikari from Dewas to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) He too was stuck in the same jam while attempting to reach Indore. The Madhya Pradesh High Court, led by Justices Vivek Rusia and Binod Kumar Dwivedi, heard the case on Monday.

The lawyer representing the NHAI, the body responsible for highways, reportedly asked, "Why do people even leave home so early without any work?" This question, which appeared to blame the victims for being on the road, has sparked disbelief and anger.

The MP High Court did not accept this reasoning. A lawyer for the victims told NDTV that the court called the argument "unacceptable." The court noted that it had already ordered the completion of a diversion road within four weeks back in September. But the road remains unfinished. 

NHAI blamed a 10-day crusher unit strike, yet had previously requested three to four months to complete the work. The court appeared unimpressed, questioning the logic behind such delays.The court has now demanded answers from the NHAI, the police, and the road construction and toll companies within one week. The next hearing is scheduled for July 7.