Kerala HC directs collectors to inspect road repair works

On Monday the court had directed the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to fill all potholes in a week. But the court intervened again after the amicus curie brought to its notice that repair works were done in a haphazard manner at many places.

Following the death a two-wheeler driver on a road riddled with potholes in Kochi last week, the Kerala high court on Tuesday directed Ernakulam and Thrissur district collectors to inspect the ongoing maintenance work of the national highway passing through their districts.

The court also directed police to register a case against the NHAI officials and contractor who had done the repair work. (Representational photo)

On Monday the court had directed the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to fill all potholes in a week. But the court intervened again after the amicus curie brought to its notice that repair works were done in a haphazard manner at many places. Justice Devan Ramachandran then directed two collectors to inspect the work and submit a report. He observed that district collectors have responsibility under the Disaster Management Act to ensure accident-free roads.

The HC took a suo motu cognizance of the case after a 52-year-old man riding a scooter lost control while negotiating a pothole and was run over by a private bus in Nedumbassery in Kochi on August 5. The court also directed police to register a case against the NHAI officials and contractor who had done the repair work.

While issuing directions, the court said roads cannot become killing fields in the state. “We can neither wait for another victim, nor can we let roads of Kerala to be killing fields, whether is it under the NHAI, PWD or the local-self government, ”justice Devan Ramachandran observed. The court also said prima facie, collection of toll indicates the responsibility of the concerned to maintain roads in the best manner and that is also the right of every motorist.

The NHAI informed the court that it initiated repair work on a war-footing and it was delayed a bit due to the incessant rain. The state government also told the court that police registered a case against the contractor. Meanwhile, opposition leader V D Satheesan asked the NHAI to compensate the family of the victim killed on the road.