A lawyer representing the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has received a show-cause notice after making a controversial remark during a court hearing regarding a fatal traffic jam in Madhya Pradesh. The lawyer questioned why people "left their homes early with no work" during a hearing concerning a 40-hour traffic jam on the Indore-Dewas highway that resulted in three deaths.

The incident occurred during a Madhya Pradesh High Court hearing about the over-eight-kilometer traffic jam that stranded more than 4,000 vehicles on June 27. The massive congestion was reported to have lasted for approximately 40 hours and tragically resulted in the deaths of three people.

The NHAI lawyer's remark sparked outrage, prompting the issuance of a show-cause notice. The highway authority clarified that the lawyer's statement did not reflect the official position of the NHAI. The NHAI's swift action to distance itself from the lawyer's comments underscores the sensitivity of the situation and the public outcry that followed.

The traffic jam and subsequent deaths have raised serious questions about the management and maintenance of national highways, particularly the Indore-Dewas highway. The incident has prompted a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The court is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the traffic jam, the response of the NHAI, and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. This has led to scrutiny of the highway authority and its representatives.

The controversy also highlights the importance of responsible and empathetic communication, especially in situations involving loss of life. Public officials and their representatives are expected to demonstrate sensitivity and understanding when addressing such incidents. The lawyer's remark was perceived as insensitive and dismissive of the hardships faced by those caught in the traffic jam and the families of the deceased.