PIL Filed in Calcutta High Court Over Poor Road Maintenance: Citizens' Right to Life at Stake
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Calcutta High Court seeking immediate intervention regarding the deteriorating condition of roads across Kolkata, Howrah, and nearby municipal areas. The plea, filed by Advocate Akash Sharma, highlights that poor road maintenance, recurring potholes, and substandard repairs are causing accidents, traffic congestion, property damage, and even loss of life.
The PIL argues that the state’s failure to ensure safe and well-maintained roads directly violates the Fundamental Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
Background of the PIL
The PIL focuses on the critical condition of arterial, residential, and connector roads, flyovers, and bridges in Kolkata, Howrah, and surrounding municipal zones. According to the petitioner, many roads have reached an “alarming stage of deterioration” due to prolonged negligence, unscientific repairs, and lack of accountability among civic bodies.
Advocate Akash Sharma asserts that repeated patchwork repairs have failed to solve the problem, while poor planning, corruption, and inadequate monitoring have worsened the situation.
The PIL seeks the Court’s intervention to compel the State Government, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC), and other civic authorities to adopt scientific, durable, and sustainable road repair policies.
Key Roads Highlighted in the PIL
The petitioner has pointed out several major roads, flyovers, and residential areas where poor conditions have put citizens at risk.
1. Major Arterial Roads
Some of Kolkata’s busiest roads are in extremely poor shape, including:
AJC Bose Road
APC Road
Central Avenue
EM Bypass
Gariahat Road
Rashbehari Avenue
Sarat Bose Road
Diamond Harbour Road
Jessore Road
VIP Road
BT Road
James Long Sarani
MG Road
Raja SC Mullick Road
NSC Bose Road
Prince Anwar Shah Road
Park Street
Camac Street
JL Nehru Road
These roads are critical for daily commuters, emergency services, and trade activities. However, potholes, waterlogging, and unplanned construction work have made them unsafe.
2. Residential & Internal Roads
The situation is equally bad in residential zones, where narrow, unmaintained lanes have become hazardous. Key affected areas include:
Salt Lake (Sector I, II, and III)
Lake Gardens
Tollygunge
Behala
Jadavpur
Kasba
Dum Dum
Baguiati
Kestopur
Rajarhat
Howrah Maidan
Baranagar
Madhyamgram
Residents complain about waterlogging, open drains, potholes, and frequent accidents, which worsen during the monsoon.
3. Flyovers, Bridges & Connectors
The PIL also highlights the unsafe condition of several flyovers and bridges due to surface damage and poor upkeep.
Some of the critical connectors include:
Chingrighata Connector
Science City Connector
Park Circus Connector
Kidderpore Connector
Durgapur Expressway Approach Roads
These key links are vital for smooth traffic between Kolkata, Howrah, and other districts. Poor maintenance leads to recurring accidents, structural damage, and traffic bottlenecks.
4. Howrah’s Road Crisis
The PIL states that Howrah, a gateway between Kolkata and the rest of India, faces an equally dire situation.
Some of the worst-affected areas include:
Dobson Road
GT Road
Howrah Maidan
Panchanantala Road
Foreshore Road
Andul Road
Belilious Road
Shibpur Road
Liluah
Kona Expressway
These roads suffer from potholes, poor drainage, and unsafe driving conditions. Repeated temporary repairs have failed, resulting in frequent accidents and traffic congestion.
Why This PIL Is Important
The PIL emphasizes that unsafe roads are not just a civic inconvenience but a serious constitutional issue. Under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, citizens have the Right to Life and Personal Liberty, which includes the right to move safely on public roads.
When poorly maintained roads cause accidents, injuries, or deaths, the State and municipal bodies can be held accountable for negligence.
Impact of Poor Road Maintenance
The condition of Kolkata and Howrah’s roads has far-reaching consequences:
1. Rising Road Accidents
Potholes and damaged roads contribute significantly to fatal accidents.
Two-wheeler riders are especially at risk due to slippery roads and sudden bumps.
2. Traffic Congestion
Damaged roads cause frequent traffic jams, affecting daily commuters and emergency vehicles.
Ambulances and fire services face severe delays during critical emergencies.
3. Economic Loss
Poor roads lead to vehicle damage, increasing maintenance costs for citizens.
Delays impact trade, tourism, and transport services, causing significant economic setbacks.
4. Public Health Concerns
Open drains and waterlogging promote the spread of diseases like dengue, malaria, and cholera.
Long traffic jams increase air and noise pollution, affecting respiratory health.
The Petitioner’s Demands
Advocate Akash Sharma has requested the Calcutta High Court to issue strict directions to the concerned authorities:
Adopt scientific and durable road repair techniques instead of temporary patchwork.
Develop a transparent monitoring system to ensure proper execution of road projects.
Set up accountability mechanisms for contractors and civic officials.
Improve drainage systems to prevent waterlogging and road damage.
Publish real-time status reports on road repair and maintenance projects.
Legal Basis of the PIL
The petitioner relies heavily on Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the Right to Life. Courts in several past judgments have ruled that safe roads, proper infrastructure, and efficient traffic management fall under the State’s constitutional duty.
Some relevant cases include:
P. Rathinam v. Union of India (1994): The Supreme Court held that the Right to Life includes the right to live with dignity and safety.
Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. Uphaar Tragedy Victims Association (2011): The Court stressed civic authorities’ liability in ensuring public safety.
By citing these precedents, the PIL argues that poor road conditions directly infringe upon citizens’ fundamental rights.
Next Hearing
The Calcutta High Court has listed the PIL for hearing in the second week of September 2025. The Court is expected to seek responses from the State Government, KMC, HMC, and other concerned authorities before passing interim orders.
Conclusion
This PIL is a wake-up call for the West Bengal government and its civic bodies. The deplorable condition of roads in Kolkata, Howrah, and surrounding areas has been ignored for years, resulting in loss of life, financial damages, and public hardship.
If the Court takes strong action, this could lead to:
Better scientific road construction and maintenance
Stricter accountability of civic bodies
Safer and smoother commuting experiences for citizens
The hearing in September will be crucial in determining whether the Calcutta High Court will direct authorities to implement long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.
COMMENTS