Mumbai: Bombay high court on Thursday asked all municipal corporations, including the BMC, to ensure that potholes on roads are filled within the next week.“Whoever is present, take note that within the next week wherever all potholes are they should be mended,” said Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Sandesh Patil. They also asked the state’s advocate Onkar Chandurkar to take instruction from the govt whether it will bring a policy for death and injuries due to potholes “because of the negligence of corporations”.The HC was hearing a 2013 suo motu PIL on the “pathetic condition” of Mumbai’s roads and fatal accidents due to potholes. On Sept 12, informed about five recent deaths—three in Bhiwandi, one each in Powai and Kalyan, the judges asked all municipal corporations to keep their assistant municipal commissioners present on the next date.Senior advocate Anil Sakhare, for BMC, disputed the pictures of potholes published in newspapers saying some were zoomed giving “a wrong impression” and may not be accurate. “We don’t have to rely on these pictures. Even our own experience while travelling shows us otherwise. Unless you think, you think we don’t travel, which we do,” said Justice Mohite Dere. The judges also asked if it is BMC’s final statement, that there are no potholes on its road. Sakhare said out of 2050 km roads in BMC limits, 1,575km are concretised and 350km will be completed by May 2027. He said out 27,334 complaints of potholes, including self-detection at 227 wards, work on balance 688 complaints are on. Sakhare said in 2023, BMC had received 59,533 complaints which have since come down. “Even if they have come down, why should there be potholes?” asked Justice Mohite Dere. Intervenor-advocate Ruju Thakker said if BMC’s app is user-friendly, “the complaints will be far more.”The judges said they are on the “larger issue”, adding “if a person sustains injuries and dies, who is to compensate?” They said corporations should be made accountable and compensation recovered from salaries of officers responsible. “It should not be a small amount. Otherwise, they will pay up and not feel the pinch. They have to feel the pinch,” said Justice Mohite Dere. The judges also said corporations must enforce accountability of contractors. MSRDC’s advocate said pothole deaths were not within its jurisdiction, the judges said “you’ll are passing the buck.” They will pass interim orders.
