The Kerala High Court on Thursday warned that officials, including engineers, may face personal liability for the pathetic condition of roads in Kochi, especially if accidents occur due to such conditions. The bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran made the observation while hearing a batch of petitions regarding poor road conditions in the city.
Court's Warning During Hearing
Taking note of submissions by amici curiae, the court said that with the onset of monsoon, many roads are likely to deteriorate unless the Kochi corporation, Public Works Department (PWD), and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) remain vigilant and undertake timely maintenance. The amici curiae warned that several stretches could develop serious defects, endangering citizens' lives.
Monsoon Exacerbates Road Woes
The High Court observed that experience has shown roads suffer the most during monsoon, and authorities often cite various reasons in justification. However, the court stressed that potholes and craters pose a grave threat to human life, and even a single death or injury could have catastrophic consequences. Referring to its earlier orders, the bench reiterated that poor road conditions must be treated as a man-made disaster.
Next Hearing Scheduled
The amici curiae sought additional time to file reports on the condition of various roads in Kochi. The court adjourned the matter to June 18.
