Question : Road Accidents due to Potholes

(a) whether the Government is aware that according to Road Accidents in India 2015 report of the Transport Research Wing, 10876 accidents were caused due to potholes;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto along with the number of such accidents occurred during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UTwise;

(c) whether there is any provision for punishment of contractors and agencies who fail to provide safe roads, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) the measures taken by the Government to improve the road construction standards; and

(e) whether the Government takes any action in case a death or injury is caused in a road accident due to faulty road design, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) Yes Madam

(b) Accidents caused due to several reasons as per Police records are obtained and compiled by Transport Research Wing of Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for reference and use by different stakeholders in the area of Road Safety. Road accidents due to potholes have been separately indicated in the ‘Road Accidents in India-2015’ report for the first time. State/UT-wise details of accidents due to potholes during 2015 are at Annex-I. The details of accidents of 2016 are yet to be compiled.

(c) to (e) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is primarily responsible for construction and maintenance of National Highways (NHs). These are constructed as per Indian Road Congress (IRC) standards & Ministry’s guidelines. All the implementing agencies of NH works are regularly instructed by the Ministry to keep the highways in safe & traffic worthy condition through inspection & remedial maintenance as per the requirements within available resources. All the road designs are carried out as per the relevant IRC codes, specifications and guidelines which are in line with international standards. These designs are also reviewed and the errors are corrected by different authorities like proof consultants, authority engineers, independent engineers and engineers of the highway departments. Actions for faulty road design/ construction are taken as per the terms of contract agreement.