10 hrs ago
Orissa High Court Slams Cuttack’s Endless Pothole Cycle
The Orissa High Court is worried about the poor condition of roads in Cuttack.
Many roads develop potholes after repairs and the rainy season.
The court has been monitoring the problem since 2020.
It said official reports and promises have not led to roads that people can safely use.
Government officials promised to prepare a larger plan for road repairs and preventing waterlogging.
They also said that 64 out of 105 road and drain projects were finished.
The court questioned a claim that 70% of major roads were in good condition.
Local legal groups will now inspect roads and report what they find.
The Orissa High Court criticized the repeated cycle of potholes, repairs and monsoon damage on Cuttack’s roads.
The court said directions issued since 2020 had not produced consistently motorable roads.
Officials assured the court that a comprehensive road-repair and waterlogging plan was being prepared.
Authorities reported that 64 of 105 road and drain works had been completed, while the CMC said 70% of arterial roads were in good condition.
Ward-level advocates’ committees were ordered to inspect roads and submit reports within seven days; the next hearing is September 10.
- Who
- The Orissa High Court, Odisha government officials, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation and ward-level advocates’ committees.
- What
- The court criticized continuing potholes, poor road repairs and waterlogging in Cuttack, while seeking fresh reports and timelines.
- Where
- Cuttack, Odisha, particularly its arterial roads and affected wards.
- When
- The latest hearing was August 29, with the next hearing scheduled for September 10; the case has been monitored since 2020.
- Why
- The court said repeated repair failures, rapid deterioration, poor supervision and coordination problems had left roads unsafe and non-motorable.
Court’s Concerns
Officials’ Assurances
Condition of arterial roads
Court’s Concerns
The court said it was difficult to accept the claim that 70% of arterial roads were in good condition because ward advocates’ committees had reported continuing problems.
Officials’ Assurances
The Cuttack Municipal Corporation’s counsel submitted that 70% of arterial roads were in good condition.
Effectiveness of earlier action
Court’s Concerns
The court said compliance affidavits had not translated into motorable roads and noted rapidly deteriorating repairs, possible shoddy work and inadequate supervision.
Officials’ Assurances
Officials submitted that 64 of 105 road and drain works had been completed and offered further repair proposals, plans and timelines.
Responsibility for road maintenance
Court’s Concerns
The court previously observed a patent lack of coordination between the Cuttack Municipal Corporation and the Roads & Buildings Department, with each appearing to shift responsibility.
Officials’ Assurances
The Housing and Urban Development Department and Works Department officials assured the court that construction, maintenance and repair measures were being planned.
Key facts
- Case type
- Suo motu public interest litigation concerning Cuttack’s roads and waterlogging.
- Monitoring period
- The matter has been before the court since 2020.
- Completed works
- Authorities reported that 64 of 105 road and drain works had been completed.
- Earlier repair directive
- Authorities were directed to repair damaged roads in 15 wards on September 12, 2024.
- Arterial-road claim
- The Cuttack Municipal Corporation said 70% of arterial roads were in good condition.
- New reporting deadline
- Ward-level advocates’ committees were directed to submit comprehensive road reports within seven days.
- Next hearing
- September 10.
Quotes
Orissa High Court, represented by Justices K R Mohapatra and V Narasingh
The High Court bench hearing the suo motu PIL concerning Cuttack’s roads and waterlogging
“Compliance affidavit(s) have not translated themselves to motorable roads, and the scenario remains the same with an agonising cycle: potholes-repairs-onset of monsoon and again potholes. It is akin to Shakespeare’s ‘grief’ with a thousand Shrieks (King Lear, Act 2).”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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