Right to Safe Road Travel Part of Article 21 of Constitution: SC

Current Context: On April 13, 2026, the Supreme Court declared the Right to Safe Road Travel as part of Article 21 (Right to Life).

• The judgment came in the Phalodi Accident suo motu case after 34 deaths in Rajasthan and Telangana highway crashes.
• The Court held that safe passage on roads is a fundamental right, making the State responsible for road safety.
• It ordered removal of illegal encroachments like dhabas and shops along highways to prevent accidents.
• Heavy vehicles were barred from parking on carriageways; only designated bays/lay‑bys are allowed.
• States/UTs must frame road safety rules within 6 months, backed by technology enforcement and emergency response units.
• This ruling transforms Article 21 into a positive mandate, ensuring safer highways and reducing fatalities.

Question:

Q.1 On April 13, 2026, the Supreme Court declared the Right to Safe Road Travel as part of:
a) Article 14
b) Article 19
c) Article 21
d) Article 32

Answer: c) The Supreme Court of India expanded the scope of Article 21 (Right to Life) to include safe road travel, reinforcing the idea that life includes safe mobility.