Potholes and Accountability on Indian Roads

Saket Mehrotra’s commute to work was disrupted by an alarming observation — the presence of 35 to 40 potholes scattered along the routes. As a portfolio manager, he turned to social media, prompting an essential question that resonated with many: what measures are required to ensure accountability for the repair of these hazardous road defects?

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mehrotra inquired, “What steps can we take to ensure accountability for improved road conditions? While we undoubtedly have world-class highways, why has action not been taken to address local last-mile roads?”

The State of Urban Roads

The quality of roads in urban areas raises significant concerns. Just during a routine trip from home to the office, Mehrotra counted approximately 35-40 potholes, if not more. He questioned the lack of accountability in enhancing road conditions and highlighted the disparity between well-developed highways and neglected local roads.

Responses to his post echoed widespread frustration. One user remarked, “Top-level commitment is essential. National highways reflect the diligence of Gadkari ji, but local authorities remain ineffective, leaving citizens feeling powerless.” Another suggested, “Protests outside the offices of local MLAs might be necessary.”

The Harrowing Statistics

The predicament Mehrotra highlighted is indicative of a broader issue in India. A report from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways revealed that potholes were responsible for 4,446 accidents in 2022, resulting in 1,856 fatalities. Uttar Pradesh suffered the most, recording 1,030 deaths and 1,986 accidents caused by potholes, which constituted over 55% of nationwide statistics.

This alarming report also stated that Uttar Pradesh experienced 44.6% of the country’s pothole-related accidents, leaving 1,421 individuals injured, which equates to 38% of the national injury count.

The Minister’s Response

Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, has recently expressed strong disapproval of road agencies and contractors due to the inadequate maintenance of roads, promising swift action against those falling short. His statements came after he conducted a personal evaluation of the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, where he observed the poor condition of the infrastructure. “It has been a while since I last travelled on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, and I was dismayed to see how poorly maintained it is,” he said. The minister assured that contractors behind subpar work would face serious repercussions, including the possibility of being blacklisted and enduring financial penalties.