Karnataka HC Directs BBMP Commissioner To Explain Steps Taken To Fill Potholes, Improve Road Conditions

As per the previous order of thecourt, two Chief Engineers of the civic body appeared before the court and informed that 63 sub division teams have been formed who have visited the spots mentioned in the report and repair work of potholes is on-going. It was also stated by them that during the inspection it was found that 439 potholes have been identified and around 4,000 other footpath distresses have been found. It was also informed to the court that tenders have been floated for repair of footpaths

Seemingly not impressed with the response of the Chief Engineers, a division bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay S Oka asked : "Are you (BBMP) serious that in the entire city of Bengaluru there are only around 400 potholes? Have you understood the legal services report correctly?We are not only concerned with potholes but conditions of roads."

It added "For repairs of footpaths, you will float a tender, meanwhile citizens will suffer and people will fall in ditch. What are you going to do about it?"

In its order the court noted "Chief engineers of BBMP are present through Video conference. We are unable to understand what steps BBMP has taken on the basis of the report submitted."

It added "We direct BBMP commissioner to file affidavit firstly setting out steps to be taken for implementation of orders passed by this court from time to time and in particular order dated July 31, 2019."

The court observed "Perhaps compliance with an order dated July 2019, was not made and therefore this court was compelled to direct KSLSA to step in."

The bench then directed the commissioner to file the affidavit detailing apart from reporting compliance of orders, with steps taken by BBMP on the basis of report submitted by KSLSA.

It also opined that "This court has already held that in case any citizen suffers from any injury or mishap due to poor condition of public streets, he has public law remedy available to seek compensation."

Following which it directed the commissioner to file affidavit in which he will state whether any steps taken to repair roads/footpaths which are mentioned in the report.

The direction was given during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by one PIL filed by Vijayan Menon in the year 2015, highlighting the problem of bad condition of roads in the city.

The matter will now be heard on March 30