Concerned about bikers losing lives because of pothole-riddled roads, especially during monsoon, the Bombay high court on Tuesday asked municipal corporations and councils across the state if they have a system to monitor road conditions and address the issue of craters.
Concerned about bikers losing lives because of pothole-riddled roads, especially during monsoon, the Bombay high court on Tuesday asked municipal corporations and councils across the state if they have a system to monitor road conditions and address the issue of craters.
A division bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka asked: "In what manner do you (civic bodies) monitor condition of roads and what is the remedy available to public if they want to file complaints?" The court was hearing a suo motu (on its own) public interest litigation.
While keeping the matter for orders on May 7, the court said that it may then direct all the civic bodies to complete survey of potholes in their jurisdiction in two weeks and then carry out repair work within six weeks thereafter.
During the hearing, the judges observed that the potholes are developed either due to wear and tear or because of indiscriminate digging of roads.
The court also asked the municipal corporations to consider the suggestion made by several intervening parties.
In July 2013, the HC had taken suo motu cognisance of the issue on a letter written by sitting HC judge, justice Gautam Patel, highlighting the issues about the pathetic condition of roads in Mumbai and the consequences not only resulting into hardship and inconvenience to the people at large but also casualties, especially to riders of two wheelers resulting into spinal injuries or even fatal accidents attributable to the potholes on the roads.
Even earlier, in 2005, the HC had taken suo motu cognisance of the bad road conditions. In an order in August 2006, the HC had observed: "It is the obligation of the Civic Authorities and the other agencies of the State to secure to the public the means of communication in good and proper condition. There cannot be any justification for the bad roads in the financial capital of the country. The people of Mumbai contribute hugely to the revenue of the Centre, the State and the Civic Body. Are they not entitled to the good civic amenities including roads in good conditions ? How long the citizenry would continue to suffer bad roads ?"
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