Kerala HC slams govt officials over poor condition of roads, says 'even a pothole can be a killer'

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday criticised the government authorities over the deteriorating condition of roads in the state and the increasing number of accidents, particularly those involving heavy vehicles and reckless driving.

The court has voiced serious concern during a hearing on the issue, which was taken up following a submission by the amicus curiae last week, which pointed to a rise in accidents due to bad roads and traffic rule violations.

Justice Devan Ramachandran highlighted the failure of the government mechanism in road maintenance and law enforcement, despite being briefed on the steps taken by the police and Transport Department to improve enforcement, especially in Kochi.

"It is rather a shame that this Court should now be taking up this matter with an intent to ensure that accidents do not occur on account of potholes and crevices on the roads," Justice Ramachandran said. He added that the right to travel is a fundamental right, and the failure of authorities leading to injury or death cannot be brushed aside with mere sympathy.

Engineers from the Kochi Corporation and the Public Works Department (PWD) were present during the proceedings. The government pleader acknowledged their responsibility in ensuring road safety and admitted it is their duty to inspect roads and uphold basic safety standards.

The court has directed all engineers to immediately audit the roads under their jurisdiction and submit detailed reports through the senior government pleader. He further emphasised that accountability must now be individual and direct, stating, "Real action must follow, and the concerned officers and engineers should be held personally accountable."

The court took serious note of a tragic accident in Thrissur over a month ago and criticised the corporation secretary's report, which claimed there were "only a few potholes" on the MG Road. The court warned that "even one pothole can be a killer," stressing the need for urgent preventive measures.

Addressing the issue of reckless driving, particularly by heavy vehicles, the court accepted the submissions made by the senior government pleader and directed that all road safety initiatives proposed by the Transport Department for Kochi be strictly implemented across the state, with any necessary adjustments. It also ordered the concerned authorities to issue instructions and report back to the court without delay.

(With inputs from LiveLaw)