Telangana High Court Issues Notice To State Agencies On Alleged Inaction In Upkeep Of Roads, Installation Of Safety Measures Around Open Manholes

The Telangana High Court has issued notice to its Road and Transport Department and various Municipal administrations on a PIL alleging that the roads of the State are not being maintained and no safety measures are being taken around open manholes.

The petitioner has contended that the administration is liable for the upkeep and maintenance of roads and footpaths, to ensure that roads are free of pot-holes and obstructions and to ensure safety around open manholes to prevent the occurrence of untoward incidents. However, the Administration has failed to fulfil its duties either in the city or the rural areas.

The petitioner also contended that the Supreme Court Committee has issued guidelines on road safety in 2022 and the same, are being blatantly ignored.

The inaction on the part of the State Authorities the petitioner says is “illegal arbitrary...and in violation of the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988...Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India and in violation of the guidelines of the Honourable Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety dtd 29/03/2022 and in violation of the various Judgments of various High Courts and against to the catena of Judgments of Honourable Supreme Court.”

The plea seeks directions for:

1. repair of potholes by expert engineers under constant supervision
2. maintenance of safety around open manholes by erecting barricades and putting up warning lights
3. setting up a method for the payment of compensation in case of injury caused to citizens by unkept roads
4. directing the Union of India to monitor the activities of the District Road Safety Committee and to send quarterly notices to States that are not uploading reports on the web portal
5. Panchayat Raj to clear all drainage blockages to allow the free flow of water.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Anil Kumar Junkanti have issued notice and posted the matter on 31^st of January.

Case no.: WP(PIL) 88/23

Counsel for petitioner: Prabhakar Chikkudu