NHAI challenges cattle shelter directive in Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India has agreed to constitute a special Bench to hear a challenge by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding a directive to establish stray cattle shelters nationwide.

Representing the NHAI, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the responsibility for managing stray animals on public roads should fall to local and district-level authorities rather than a national highway agency. The NHAI estimated that complying with the pan-India mandate to construct these shelters would cost approximately ₹7,000 crore.

The matter was brought before a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana. The Solicitor General requested the reconstitution of a special Bench, previously consisting of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N. V. Anjaria, to consider the application. The court proceedings also touched upon management measures for stray dogs.