Karnataka High Court Asks BBMP To Inform On Mechanism Adopted To Tackle Potholes And Maintain Good Roads
The Karnataka High Court on Monday (June 23) directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to file affidavit indicating the mechanism adopted by it every year to deal with the problem of potholes and to maintain good condition of roads to enable smooth pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
A division bench of Acting Chief Justice V M Kameshwar Rao and Justice C M Joshi acceded to the request made by the counsel for the corporation seeking to file compliance affidavit in regards to the order dated 21-09-2024.
The court in its September 2024 order had said, “This petition was filed in the year 2015. The earlier reports filed on behalf of the respondent-Bruhath Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) do not disclose the latest position in terms of the steps taken by BBMP to deal with the issue of dilapidated roads and potholes. Therefore, it is directed that the BBMP shall file a detailed affidavit, in which it shall be shown as to what mechanism the BBMP adopts every time and every year to deal with the problem of potholes and to maintain good condition of roads to enable smooth pedestrian and vehicular traffic.”
“The affidavit which may be filed shall also provide facts about the steps taken during this monsoon in particular and during the year in general in respect of repair of roads and potholes. Such an affidavit shall be filed on or before the next date,” it had said.
It had further said, “One of the prayers in the petition is with regard to disbursement of compensation to the victims of road accidents due to potholes and to have a mechanism regarding details of payment of compensation. In the affidavit in reply, the respondent-BBMP shall also respond to the said aspect.”
During the hearing today counsel for the petitioner argued that this is a matter filed in the year 2015, which the court has been monitoring and small results have been seen.
The bench then queried whether a fresh affidavit has been filed highlighting the critical areas in the city; to this counsel said, “All areas are critical milords. But we can file the affidavit.”
Reference was made to an earlier order of the court and the counsel submitted that there should be a comprehensive policy for repairs of roads. It was submitted that though on paper they (BBMP) have said that they have scientific methods but on ground they are not doing it.
However, the counsel for BBMP sought a weeks’ time to file compliance affidavit. The court allowed the same.
The directions were given while hearing a petition filed in 2015 by one Vijayan Menon, praying for directions for filling up of potholes on major roads and arterial roads in the city and for removing encroachments on storm water drains/ drainage system.
Case Title: Vijayan Menon v. Secretary Urban Development Department
Case No: WP 42927/2015
