NHAI Seeks Special Bench on Nationwide Stray Shelters
NHAI Seeks Special Bench on Nationwide Stray Shelters
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Key Points
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The direction being challenged was issued by a special bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath; NHAI has sought the reconstitution of that bench, which also includes Justices Sandeep Mehta and N. V. Anjaria, to hear its application.
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The underlying November 2025 order required stray dogs removed from educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands and railway stations to be relocated only after sterilisation and vaccination under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
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The Court’s direction on highways followed its observation that accidents involving cattle and other stray animals on public roads were occurring frequently, leading it to assign removal duties to NHAI along with transport and municipal authorities.
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The Court’s shelter directions require relocated animals to receive adequate food, water and veterinary care in suitable shelters, gaushalas or cattle pounds, and call for dedicated infrastructure for their management.
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The stray-animal proceedings also include a separate direction that rabid or dangerous dogs be euthanised in accordance with statutory protocols, while the Court declined to modify its order requiring stray dogs to be removed from public facilities.
India's Supreme Court agreed to form a special bench to hear the National Highways Authority's challenge to nationwide stray cattle shelter orders. The Meghalayan Express reported that NHAI says it shouldn't bear the cost of building shelters across the country, estimating compliance would run about ₹7,000 crore. The agency argues local and district administrations should handle the responsibility instead.
The dispute stems from earlier Court orders requiring stray animals removed from highways, hospitals, schools and transit hubs to be relocated only after sterilisation and vaccination. DT Next noted the Court directed NHAI to remove strays from roads after observing that accidents involving cattle and stray animals occur frequently on public highways.
NHAI Questions Its Role in Animal Welfare
NHAI argues it is not the right agency to manage stray animal shelters nationwide. Free Press Journal reported the authority says primary responsibility rests with local governments and district administrations. The agency contends that building and maintaining facilities for relocated cattle falls outside its core mandate of highway maintenance and operation.
The ₹7,000 crore cost estimate reveals the financial burden NHAI faces if forced to comply. That figure covers shelter construction and ongoing care across India's entire highway network. The authority argues it lacks expertise in animal welfare management and resource allocation.
Court's Order Aims to Prevent Highway Accidents
The Supreme Court's original directive came after observing that stray cattle and dogs cause frequent accidents on public roads. Newsable reported the bench directed NHAI along with transport and municipal authorities to remove strays from highways. The Court found that uncontrolled animal populations on roads pose serious safety risks to drivers and passengers.
Relocated animals must receive adequate food, water and veterinary care in shelters, gaushalas or cattle pounds. The Court also mandated that dangerous or rabid dogs be euthanised following statutory protocols. Sterilisation and vaccination under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, became mandatory before relocation to public facilities.
Broader Animal Welfare Proceedings in High Court
The stray animal case extends beyond highways to schools, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stations and railway platforms. The Court's November 2025 order requires all animals removed from these locations to undergo sterilisation and vaccination before relocation. This reflects a comprehensive approach to managing stray populations across India's public infrastructure.
The special bench that issued the original shelter order includes Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice N. V. Anjaria. NHAI has requested this same bench reconstitute itself to hear its challenge. The case highlights tension between public health and safety concerns versus administrative and fiscal capacity at the national agency level.
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