Question : Pothole Fatalities

(a) whether the Government is aware of the report that potholes in the country take 10 lives every day with 3,597 fatalities in 2017;

(b) if so, the details thereof for the last three years, year and State-wise;

(c) whether the Supreme Court (SC) has taken a serious view in the matter and asked the SC monitoring committee on road safety to submit a report immediately on the issue and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether sufficient amount as compensation is being paid to the victims and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the corrective steps taken or being taken by the Government in consultation with States to avoid pothole fatalities?

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *322 ANSWERED ON 09.08.2018 ASKED BY “SHRI VENKATESH BABU T.G. : SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:” REGARDING “POTHOLE FATALITIES”.

(a) As per the information received from police department of all States/UTs, 3597 persons were killed due to potholes on roads during the calendar year 2017.

(b) The details of State/UTs wise persons killed for the last three years i.e. 2015, 2016 and 2017due to potholes on roads are placed at Annexure –I-III.
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( c ) Yes, the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide order dated 20th July,2018 has asked the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety to look into the matter at the earliest and give a report in this regard including determining the quantum of compensation.

(d) Compensation is paid to the victims in accordance with the provisions of Chapter X and XI of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

(e) The National Highways under control of National Highways of Authority of India require the filling of potholes by contractor/ concessionaire within specified time limit during concession period/maintenance period. Ministry also allocates funds to various State Governments for carrying out maintenance of National Highways including filling of potholes, so as to keep the stretch in traffic worthy conditions.