(a) whether the number of road accidents, resultant fatalities and the number of people injured due to potholes on National Highways (NHs) have increased during the last three years;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State and year-wise;
(c) whether the Government has taken any measures for repairing of these potholes and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of budgetary allocation made for repair and maintenance of NHs during the last three years, State and year-wise?
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) & (b) As per the data received from police department of all States/UTs, the total number of road accidents, persons killed and injured due to pot holes during the last three calendar years i.e 2017 to 2019 is shown in the table given below:
Year Total number of accidents due to potholes in the country % age Change Total number of persons killed due to potholes in the country % age Change Total number of persons injured due to potholes in the country % age Change
2017 9423
3597
8791
2018 4869
-48.3 2015
-44.0 4108 -53.3
2019 4775 -1.9 2140 6.2 4013 -2.3
Transport Research Wing of Ministry of Road Transport & Highways does not collect and compile information on number of road accidents, persons killed and injured due to potholes specific to National Highways.
However, As per the data received from police department of all States/UTs, State-UT wise total number of road accidents, persons killed and injured classified under the category of potholes on all roads (incl. SH, MDR and other roads) during the last three calendar years i.e 2017 to 2019 are given in Annexure-I to III.
(c) National Highways are being designed, constructed and maintained as per Indian Roads Congress (IRC) codes/guidelines and Ministry’s specifications. Various safety measures are made as an integral part of the highway development projects depending upon the site requirement and availability of lands. The work of development and maintenance of National Highways are carried out by executing agencies viz NHAI/NHIDCL/State PWDs. In the EPC document there is a provision that the contractor shall at all-time maintain the project highways in accordance with the provision of contract agreement in time bound manner. In Public Private Partnership (PPP) Projects the Concessionaire are liable to maintain the roads (NHs) for the concession period/ which may varies from 15-30 years in general. However, in EPC mode the contract is liable to maintain/repair the defect for 5-10 years (depending upon type of pavement) as per Ministry’s guidelines. In case of any discrepancy during execution stage, concessionaire or contractor is penalized as per the conditions of contract.
(d) The details of budgetary allocation made for maintenance of NHs during the last three years, State and year-wise is enclosed at Annexure-IV.