HC takes serious note of deteriorating condition of roads in Madhya Pradesh

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken serious note of the deteriorating condition of roads and the alarming rise in fatal accidents across the State, issued notices to the Central and State Governments as well as major road agencies. The court’s intervention follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging gross negligence and administrative apathy in maintaining road infrastructure, which has resulted in thousands of preventable deaths.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf has directed the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRDC), and the Madhya Pradesh Rural Road Development Authority (MPRRDA) to submit detailed reports within two weeks. The reports must outline measures taken to repair critical road stretches, fill potholes, and strengthen road safety mechanisms.

The PIL, filed by retired Indore banker Rajendra Singh and argued by advocate Abhinav Malhotra, paints a grim picture of the state’s road safety record. Citing official data, the petitioner stated that Madhya Pradesh reported 5,840 road accidents in 2023, resulting in 2,161 deaths—a sharp 31.4 per cent increase over the previous year.

The petition described the state’s highways and district roads as “death traps,” where poor maintenance, lack of signage, and unregulated construction have turned commuting into a daily gamble with life.

During the hearing, the High Court expressed deep concern over the systemic neglect and observed that the “poor condition of roads is not merely an inconvenience but a serious public safety hazard.” The bench questioned how such widespread deterioration could occur while toll collection and maintenance contracts continue unabated. “The State cannot abdicate its constitutional responsibility to protect lives,” the court observed, adding that recurring accidents reflect both governance failure and administrative indifference.

The court’s directive mandates a status report identifying accident-prone stretches, ongoing repairs, and accountability for lapses in supervision. The bench has fixed December 15, 2025, as the next date of hearing.

The PIL also highlighted multiple instances where newly constructed roads developed cracks and potholes within months, indicating substandard material use and weak quality control. It sought judicial intervention to ensure that officials and contractors responsible for such lapses face penalties under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and related provisions.

Officials from the PWD and MPRDC have claimed that inadequate budget allocations and delays in contract renewals have hampered timely repairs. However, the court’s tough stand is expected to trigger stronger accountability and tighter monitoring mechanisms across departments.

For citizens across the State — from Bhopal to Betul and Gwalior to Guna — the court’s notice has come as a step toward safer travel.