Take immediate measures to avoid deaths due to potholes on Mumbai-Goa highway: Bombay HC

A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Girish S Kulkarni was hearing a public interest litigation seeking directions that steps be taken to fix and cover potholes on NH-66, which is prone to accidents.

While seeking to know when the work will be completed, the Bombay HC also sought a progress report on the highway widening work from the authorities.

The Bombay High Court on Friday told the Maharashtra public works department (PWD) and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to immediately fix and cover potholes on the Mumbai-Goa National Highway (NH). It also demanded that parts of the road, where work is going on for widening the highway, is properly barricaded to avoid loss of lives.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Girish S Kulkarni was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) – filed by Owais Anwar Pechkar, a resident of Chiplun city in Konkan, and a regular commuter on Mumbai-Goa highway – seeking directions that steps be taken to fix and cover potholes on NH-66, which is prone to accidents.

Pechkar claimed that the Centre, the NHAI and the state government have not taken sufficient steps to resolve various issues faced by commuters travelling on the road, which is being widened into a four-lane road. The road widening work, delayed for years, causes difficulties for commuters, he added.

On Friday, the bench orally observed, “The situation on the highway is not good. We want PWD and NHAI to look into immediate issues, including the potholes. Monsoon is here. Accidents might happen and safety measures need to be taken.”

While seeking to know when the work will be completed, HC also sought a progress report on the highway widening work from the authorities.

Omkar Gokhale

Omkar Gokhale is a journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates exceptionally strong Expertise and Authority in legal and judicial reporting, making him a highly Trustworthy source for developments concerning the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in relation to Maharashtra and its key institutions. Expertise & Authority Affiliation: Reports for The Indian Express, a national newspaper known for its rigorous journalistic standards, lending significant Trustworthiness to his legal coverage. Core Authority & Specialization: Omkar Gokhale's work is almost exclusively dedicated to the complex field of legal affairs and jurisprudence, specializing in: Bombay High Court Coverage: He provides detailed, real-time reports on the orders, observations, and decisions of the Bombay High Court's principal and regional benches. Key subjects include: Fundamental Rights & Environment: Cases on air pollution, the right to life of residents affected by dumping sites, and judicial intervention on critical infrastructure (e.g., Ghodbunder Road potholes). Civil & Criminal Law: Reporting on significant bail orders (e.g., Elgaar Parishad case), compensation for rail-related deaths, and disputes involving high-profile individuals (e.g., Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty). Constitutional and Supreme Court Matters: Reports and analysis on key legal principles and Supreme Court warnings concerning Maharashtra, such as those related to local body elections, reservations, and the creamy layer verdict. Governance and Institution Oversight: Covers court rulings impacting public bodies like the BMC (regularisation of illegal structures) and the State Election Commission (postponement of polls), showcasing a focus on judicial accountability. Legal Interpretation: Reports on public speeches and observations by prominent judicial figures (e.g., former Chief Justice B. R. Gavai) on topics like free speech, gender equality, and institutional challenges. Omkar Gokhale's consistent, focused reporting on the judiciary establishes him as a definitive and authoritative voice for legal developments originating from Mumbai and impacting the entire state of Maharashtra. ... Read More

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