14,926 deaths due to potholes on roads, Supreme Court seeks response from Centre

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

NEW DELHI: As many as 14,926 persons died in mishaps due to potholes on the Indian roads. 

This figure of deaths from 2013 to 2017, has alarmed the Supreme Court of India.

The SC has termed it 'unacceptable' and has sought a response from the Centre on the issue. 

It comes at around 3,000 deaths annually in the country i.e. around ten deaths a day in the country just due to carelessness--lack of maintenance of roads, which is the duty of civic authorities. 

Expressing concern over the huge deaths in the country on account of bad roads and lack of maintentance on part of civic authorities, the Apex Court has asked the government to file a reply to the report of committee on road safety.

The Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur said that the number appeared much higher than the figure of deaths at the border on those who are killed due to terrorism in the country. 

The court said that the figure of deaths suggests that the authorities were not serious about maintenance of roads. The Supreme Court bench conducting the hearing, comprises justice Deepak Gupta and justice Hemant Gupta. 

SC's committee on road safety headed by former apex cout judge had filed the report. In fact, it is believed that the figure could be even more. Not just city roads, but potholes are a big problem even on National Highways and State Highways, that are expected to be maintained well.