Expressing deep concern over the alarming rise in fatal highway accidents, the Supreme Court on Monday took suo motu cognisance of the recent accident in Rajasthan's Phalodi, and a similar tragedy in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, which together claimed nearly 40 lives.

A bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi observed that the deteriorating condition of highways as well as the unchecked proliferation of dhabas (roadside eateries) along the roads had turned many stretches into death traps for unsuspecting commuters.

“This petition has been registered suo motu in reference to Phalodi and Srikakulam accidents. In both accidents, 18 and 19 lives have been lost. The reason of such loss of life is explicitly indicated in the news items,” the bench noted in its order.

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