The Bombay High Court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take stricter measures to ensure that no citizen loses their life due to open manholes this year, while also expressing strong concern over the deteriorating condition of Mumbai’s roads. The court observed that the issue of poor road infrastructure has persisted for more than two decades despite repeated judicial interventions.
The matter was heard on Monday (June 29) by a Division Bench comprising Justice Ajay Gadkari and Justice Kamal Khata, during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) related to road safety and urban infrastructure in Mumbai. The bench remarked on the widespread discomfort faced by commuters, noting that even a journey from Dahisar to Fort involves encountering numerous bumps due to poor road conditions.
The judges also recalled that concerns regarding road quality had been raised as far back as 2006, when Justice Lodha had issued directions, yet the situation remains largely unchanged even in 2026. They further observed that well-developed cities globally are capable of maintaining roads that allow smooth travel at speeds of up to 100 kmph, and suggested that the BMC study scientifically engineered road systems in other cities. The court also commented on worsening road conditions in Thane.
BMC counsel Joel Carlos informed the court that efforts are being made to improve safety concerning potholes, roads, and manholes. The court reviewed data indicating that protective grills have been installed beneath metal lids on over 70,000 manholes, while more than 3,000 manholes are still without such safety covers.
Expressing dissatisfaction with a data-heavy approach, Justice Gadkari stated that the court was not interested in statistics or compliance reports, but in preventing loss of human life. He urged the civic body to ensure that no deaths occur due to manholes this year.
The bench also sought clarification on the functioning of an app used to report potholes and open manholes and directed the BMC to submit an affidavit with evidence of resolved complaints. It further asked for details regarding FIRs filed in cases of theft of manhole covers.
During the hearing, petitioner advocate Ruju Thakkar highlighted the case of a doctor who died after falling into a manhole last year, stating that the family had not yet received the Rs 6 lakh compensation ordered earlier by another bench. The court questioned the delay and directed the Thane Municipal Corporation to expedite the payment, stating that the issue must be resolved by next Monday.
The next hearing has been scheduled for July 6.
Source: The Hindu
