The Kerala High Court has observed that speeding is a significant road safety concern requiring focused and sustained enforcement. Noting that only four Speed Violation Detection Systems have been installed across the State, it held that their number needs to be increased given the scale of electronic enforcement, the number of violations detected and the fines imposed. It directed the Transport Commissioner to identify locations with a high incidence of speed violations and frequent accidents and to install additional systems there.

The Court found that the Public Works Department’s affidavit gave only a general account of its responsibilities and did not address the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General. It directed the PWD to file a detailed affidavit responding to the CAG report and setting out structural measures to make the State’s roads accident-free. It recorded that only the PWD and the Transport Commissioner had responded to its earlier directions.

A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar observed, “…Considering the scale of electronic enforcement undertaken, the substantial number of violations detected and the aggregate fines imposed, we are of the view that the existing number of speed detection systems requires further augmentation. Speeding is a significant road safety concern and requires focused and sustained enforcement. We, therefore, direct the Transport Commissioner to identify locations having a high incidence of speed violations and frequent accidents and take appropriate steps to install additional Speed Violation Detection Systems at such locations. The Transport Commissioner shall also place before this Court a report indicating the locations identified, the additional systems proposed to be installed and the time frame within which the proposed expansion will be implemented”.

Mohammed Shah P.A., Additional Advocate General and P. Sreekumar, Additional Solicitor General appeared for the respondents.

“We remind the PWD that the very objective of initiating these proceedings is to identify the underlying causes of road accidents, reduce their occurrence across the State and ensure the safety of road users and the general public. The matter calls for a comprehensive and constructive response rather than a mere statement of the existing responsibilities and activities of the Department”, the Bench noted further.

The case was registered suo motu, taking note of the continuing loss of life on the State’s roads and the systemic failures contributing to it. The Court had earlier issued directions and recommendations to 21 respondents, including the State departments, NHAI, KSEB, Kerala Water Authority, KSRTC and KELTRON.

The Joint Transport Commissioner submitted that 726 cameras installed by KELTRON under the Safe Kerala Project are operational, comprising 675 AI cameras, 25 parking violation, 18 red-light violation and 4 speed violation systems. Up to October 30, 2026, 1,56,82,572 e-challans had been issued, imposing fines of ₹1,017.46 crore. The Court noted that no details had been furnished on the amounts actually collected. It was also submitted that only 85 enforcement squads are functioning because of staff shortage, and that a proposal for additional manpower is pending with the Government.

The Department placed on record several initiatives:

  • 28 Automated Testing Stations, of which three are operational;
  • three Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities, which have dismantled 782 vehicles;
  • a “KERALA BUSZ” platform to rationalise private bus routes and timings;
  • tracking of 2,35,236 public transport vehicles on the “SurakshaMitr” portal;
  • a proposed Driver Profile Mechanism and a Public and Heavy Vehicle Drivers’ Registry;
  • a Road Safety Mission from November 15, 2026.

The Court directed the Transport Commissioner to frame a comprehensive enforcement protocol with monitoring and follow-up mechanisms. It reminded him that the Integrated Road Safety Monitoring Platform must not merely consolidate existing digital initiatives but must be a GIS-enabled system with modules including citizens’ hazard reporting, a black spot tracker, a safety audit module and an engineer accountability module.

It asked the Additional Advocate General to coordinate the departments, and directed the DGP to nominate a police officer to the Steering Committee. The respondents were granted three weeks to place concrete proposals and an updated status statement. The matter will be listed after November 30, 2026.

Cause Title: Suo Motu In Re: Road Safety in Kerala v. Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala & Ors. (WP(C) No. 35016 of 2026)

Appearances:

Respondents: Additional Advocate General Mohammed Shah P.A., Additional Solicitor General P. Sreekumar, Standing Counsel B.G. Bidan, Standing Counsel B. Pramod, Standing Counsels George Johny, Riji Rajendran, B.S. Swathi Kumar, M.A. Zohra

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