KATHMANDU: The Bombay High Court has fixed compensation amounts for pothole-related accidents, directing the civic bodies and State agencies to pay 600,000 Indian rupee for deaths and between 50,000 and 250,000 Indian rupee for injuries.
The ruling came in response to a 2013 Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting the “pathetic condition of roads” and fatalities caused by potholes.
“The right to have roads in reasonable condition is part of the fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution,” the court observed. “To deny compensation and merely remind civic authorities of their duties would amount to lip service to citizens’ right to safe roads.
The court ordered that compensation must be paid within six to eight weeks.
Officials such as Municipal Commissioners, District Collectors and heads of road agencies like MMRDA, MSRDC, PWD, BPT and NHAI will be personally responsible for any delays, with a 9% annual interest added from the date of the claim.
Additionally, the court directed that all potholes reported must be repaired within 48 hours, with departmental action to follow in cases of non-compliance, Indian media reports.
