The Rajasthan High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the tragic fire incident that occurred on December 20, 2024, on the Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway. The incident, caused by a collision between an LPG tanker and multiple vehicles, claimed at least 14 lives and left over 30 people injured. The fire engulfed an 800-meter area, burning dozens of vehicles and causing extensive property damage. The High Court expressed deep concern over road safety and the government’s failure to adopt effective preventive measures.
Court’s Observations:
The Court noted that such incidents involving hazardous materials, including chemical and LPG fires, pose severe threats to human lives, safety, and the environment. Drawing parallels to past disasters, including the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy and the 2009 Jaipur fire, the Court highlighted the frequency of chemical accidents in India, with over 130 significant incidents reported in the last decade, leading to 259 deaths and 563 major injuries.
The bench observed that these accidents often result in immense human suffering, loss of lives, and economic damage, emphasizing that many of them could have been avoided with proper government precautions and measures.
Concerns Over Road Safety and Compensation:
The High Court stressed the urgent need to address road safety, particularly at “black spots” and dangerous U-turns, which are often the site of fatal accidents. It criticized the current preventive measures as insufficient and called for immediate action to ensure the safety of lives on highways. The Court observed that danger warning signs, preventive measures, and better infrastructure, including bridges and overpasses, must be prioritized.
The Central Government’s announcement of Rs. 2 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 for the injured was deemed inadequate by the Court. It emphasized the need for a more significant amount of compensation for the victims and their families, as well as for those who suffered property damage in the incident.
Court’s Directions:
Issuing notices to various governmental authorities, including the Union of India, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Rajasthan Government, and the Disaster Management Department, the Court sought explanations for the following directions:
- Conducting an inquiry into the negligence and non-performance of statutory duties by defaulting individuals and authorities.
- Awarding adequate compensation to the deceased’s families, the injured, and victims of property damage.
- Relocating hazardous factories and godowns storing inflammable materials away from densely populated areas.
- Ensuring strict implementation of statutory provisions related to disaster management and road safety.
- Completing pending construction of bridges and overpasses within a time-bound framework.
- Creating separate routes for vehicles carrying hazardous materials to prevent future accidents.
- Identifying black spots and dangerous U-turns and installing danger warning systems on highways.
Steps Ordered:
The Chief Secretary of Rajasthan and relevant departmental heads were directed to submit a detailed report on the measures taken by the Central and State Governments to address the issues raised. The matter has been listed for further consideration on January 10, 2025.
Incident Background:
Media reports revealed that the tragedy occurred when an LPG tanker, traveling from Ajmer to Jaipur, attempted to take a U-turn near a known “black spot” near a school. A truck coming from the opposite direction collided with the tanker, triggering a massive fire that spread across the area, claiming lives and causing widespread destruction.
Case Title:
IN RE: In the matter of Massive Fire Broke out at Jaipur-Ajmer-Kishangarh-Bhankrota Highway
The High Court’s proactive stance highlights the need for comprehensive safety measures, accountability, and enhanced infrastructure to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.
Lawcutor 