Supreme Court Issues Notice on Plea Seeking Cattle Underpass on National Highway, Refuses to Halt Foot Overbridge Construction

June 16, 2026 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice on a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by residents challenging the construction of a foot overbridge on a National Highway and seeking the provision of a cattle underpass to ensure the safe movement of livestock across the road.

The matter was heard by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana. Counsel for the petitioners argued that the authorities were proceeding with the foot overbridge project despite earlier directions of the Supreme Court requiring adherence to the guidelines prescribed by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC).

The petitioners contended that the project was undertaken without adequate public consultation and failed to address the actual needs of local residents. They submitted that the site had been identified as an accident-prone black spot where several fatal accidents had occurred over the years. According to them, villagers frequently move cattle across the National Highway, and the absence of a dedicated livestock crossing facility poses serious safety risks.

It was further argued that the High Court had proceeded on an incorrect factual assumption that a crossing facility already existed at the location. The petitioners maintained that there was no proper intersection connecting the roads on either side of the highway and that the proposed foot overbridge would not effectively resolve the difficulties faced by residents.

Relying on National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) guidelines, the petitioners submitted that cattle underpasses are contemplated in areas where livestock movement across highways is regular and essential.

Seeking interim relief, the petitioners urged the Court to restrain the ongoing construction work until the dispute was decided. However, the Bench expressed reservations about granting any stay, observing that it was not inclined to interfere with the highway project at this stage. The Court remarked that the petition appeared to have limited merit and indicated that it could be dismissed at the threshold.

Nevertheless, after considering the submissions made on behalf of the petitioners, the Supreme Court decided to issue notice in the matter. The Bench declined to grant interim relief and refused to stay the ongoing construction, despite the petitioners’ contention that continuation of the work could render the proceedings infructuous.

Accordingly, the Court issued notice on the SLP, declined interim relief, and agreed to list the matter for an early hearing.