Monitoring of poor roads: HC seeks info from civic bodies

The Bombay High Court today sought to know from municipal corporations and councils across Maharashtra if they have adopted any mechanism to monitor condition of roads and address the issue of potholes.
A division bench headed by Justice A S Oka was hearing a suo moto PIL on the poor condition of roads in the state and incidents of bikers losing their lives due to pothole-ridden roads.
"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 bench asked.
The court observed that roads are potholes ridden either due to wear and tear or because of indiscriminate digging.

Posting the matter for hearing on May 7, the court said it may 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.
The court also asked the municipal corporations to consider the suggestion made by several intervening parties.
A sitting judge of the high court, Justice Gautam Patel had in July 2013 written a letter to Chief Justice Mohit Shah drawing his attention to the pathetic condition of roads. This letter was converted by the Chief Justice into a PIL and notices were issued to the civic bodies of Mumbai and other cities.