Bombay High Court seeks pothole and manhole data from civic bodies across Mumbai

The Bombay High Court on Monday reportedly directed all civic bodies in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to submit detailed information on potholes and manholes within their areas. The court asked the authorities to file affidavits by June 22 and explain the steps taken to improve road safety.

The court expressed serious concern over the poor condition of roads across the region. It reportedly said that authorities had repeatedly claimed that pothole-related problems had been resolved, but unsafe roads cause difficulties for commuters.

The judges said such claims were misleading if the problem still existed. The matter reportedly came up during the hearing of a contempt petition filed by advocate Ruju Thakker in 2019. The petition alleged that civic bodies, state agencies, and contractors responsible for road maintenance had failed to comply with earlier court directions regarding road safety and repairs, as per reports.

Thakker reportedly informed the court about several recent accidents linked to bad road conditions. She referred to a fatal accident near the University of Mumbai on February 17 and other incidents reported in Thane and Bhiwandi in December 2025. She argued that authorities had not taken adequate action despite previous warnings and court orders.

During the hearing, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reportedly informed the court that compensation claims related to accidental deaths caused by road conditions were being reviewed by a committee headed by the municipal commissioner. The civic body said the process was underway and decisions would be taken after proper examination, as per reports.

The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), reportedly argued that not all road accidents could be blamed on potholes. Its representatives stated that some accidents may have occurred because of rash driving or negligence on the part of motorists.

The case is linked to a suo motu proceeding initiated in 2013 after five people lost their lives due to poor road conditions within Mumbai. The issue was first highlighted by a letter written by a former High Court judge describing the roads in and around the city as being in a pathetic condition. The judges observed that despite repeated judicial interventions since 2015, the same problems continue to reappear every monsoon. 

The bench noted that this pattern suggested a lack of sustained compliance with court orders and possible negligence by public authorities responsible for road maintenance.