Indore-Dewas Jam | 'Why Step Out Sans Purpose?' : NHAI Lawyer's Comment In MP HC Sparks Row; Authority Issues Notice

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued a show-cause notice to an advocate, who, while representing the authority before the Madhya Pradesh High Court on June 30, reportedly remarked, “Why do people step out early...” in reference to the traffic jam situation on the Indore-Dewas highway. Clarifying its stance, NHAI in a statement posted on 'X' stated: “In reference to news regarding remark made by an advocate representing #NHAI during the hearing of PIL about traffic jam on 30 June 2025 in High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Indore Bench, it is hereby clarified that the remark by advocate does not represent official version of NHAI. The remark from the advocate was made without any authorization from NHAI. Accordingly, a show-cause notice has been served to the advocate.” For context, on June 27, a nearly 8-kilometre-long traffic jam, which lasted for around 32 hours, brought over 4,000 vehicles to a standstill on the Indore-Dewas highway. The massive congestion was purportedly caused by ongoing six-lane bridge construction, unfinished service roads and the absence of a proper traffic diversion plan. It reportedly also resulted in the death of three people.Following this, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition was filed before the Madhya Pradesh High Court (Indore Bench) by Dewas-based lawyer Anand Adhikari. In his PIL plea, he primarily prays that the road construction work on the stretch be carried out under the supervision of the Court to ensure accountability of the concerned authorities. During the hearing on June 30, the advocate appearing for NHAI had questioned why people without work leave their homes early. The remark sparked outrage, especially after a video clip of the statement went viral on social media. “Abhi Ujjain mein bhi jam ho gaya, log nikalte kyon hain itni jaldi bina kaam ke?… jaam to hoga hi”, the advocate had reportedly said, drawing laughter in the courtroom. [Translation: Now even in Ujjain there was a jam…why do people leave so early without any work?…of course there will be a traffic jam] Having heard the counsels for both parties, a bench of Justice Vivek Rusia and Justice Binod Kumar Dwivedi issued notice to the Centre and NHAI, as well as the administration and police of Indore, seeking their reply within a week.

Indore-Dewas Jam | 'Why Step Out Sans Purpose?' : NHAI Lawyer's Comment In MP HC Sparks Row; Authority Issues Notice

Sparsh Upadhyay

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