Supreme Court Warns Centre on Stalled Delhi Road Safety Project

The Supreme Court of India has issued a stern warning to the Centre over its failure to implement necessary safety measures at a hazardous road crossing opposite the National Zoological Garden in Delhi, signalling the court's impatience with prolonged delays in execution.

The crossing has remained under judicial scrutiny since at least October 2025, with the court repeatedly flagging the persistent safety risks posed to pedestrians and commuters at the location. The apex court's latest intervention represents an escalation in its oversight of the matter, reflecting broader concerns about road safety infrastructure in the national capital.

The court's rebuke of the Centre highlights the gap between policy directives and ground-level implementation of safety measures. Officials have yet to complete remedial work despite the crossing's documented hazards and the court's sustained attention to the issue.

The case underscores India's ongoing challenges in translating road safety commitments into tangible infrastructure improvements, particularly in high-traffic urban areas. The Supreme Court's continued monitoring is expected to pressure authorities to accelerate completion of the safety project.

Photo: The central wing of the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi, December 2019. Subhashish Panigrahi via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).