In a shocking incident, a lawyer representing the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) made a remark during a Madhya Pradesh High Court hearing that sparked public outrage. The remark, questioning why people left their homes early without work during a devastating 40-hour traffic jam on the Indore-Dewas highway, came under intense scrutiny after three people tragically lost their lives. The traffic jam, which involved over 4,000 vehicles stranded on the highway, resulted in two deaths from heart attacks and one fatality before reaching the hospital.

The NHAI lawyer's comment was seen as insensitive and inappropriate given the severity of the incident. In response to the controversy, the NHAI clarified that the lawyer's remark did not reflect the official stance of the organization. A show-cause notice was subsequently issued to the lawyer, emphasizing that the statement was made without authorization from NHAI.

The High Court is currently reviewing the case, following a public interest litigation (PIL) that seeks to hold parties accountable for the chaos. The court has issued notices to several stakeholders, including NHAI offices in Delhi and Indore, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the local Police Commissioner, and construction companies involved in roadworks. The court is demanding responses within seven days to prevent similar incidents in the future.

This incident has brought to light the ongoing issues with NHAI's road management and maintenance practices, particularly in relation to delays caused by the strike of a crusher unit. Despite claims from NHAI that it had requested an extended timeframe for the completion of roadworks, the event has intensified calls for accountability and improved road safety measures.