Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Dec 14: The Maharashtra government has announced that families of two-wheeler riders or pedestrians who die in accidents caused by potholes or open manholes on roads can receive compensation of up to Rs 6 lac. The decision includes setting up district-level committees, headed by the District Collector, to investigate such accidents and sanction compensation. Action will also be taken against contractors responsible for the faulty road conditions.
The move follows a petition filed in the High Court regarding road potholes and manholes, with the court issuing directives on October 13. According to the order, committees will be constituted to assess accidents and deaths on roads under the jurisdiction of Zilla Parishads and the Maharashtra Rural Road Development Corporation.
The committee, chaired by the District Collector, will include the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad, Secretary of the Legal Services Authority, Executive Engineer of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, and Executive Engineer of the Zilla Parishad’s Construction Department as Member Secretary, as per the order issued by G.O. Valvi, Deputy Secretary, Rural Development Department.
Key details of the scheme:
• Compensation for death due to potholes or open manholes on rural and other district roads will be up to Rs 6 lakh.
• Injured persons will receive compensation ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh depending on the severity of injuries.
• The committee must hold its first meeting within seven days of receiving information about an accident or death.
• Legal heirs of the deceased or injured persons can apply to the committee for action.
• Information from newspapers or other sources will be considered by the committee.
• Compensation will be disbursed within six to eight weeks; delays will attract 9% annual interest.
If accidents or deaths are found to result from defective or substandard work, contractors and responsible officials will face strict disciplinary and punitive action. If potholes are not filled within 48 hours, action will be taken against officials and contractors. Fines will also be recovered from contractors if the work is ongoing or within the liability period.
This initiative is aimed at ensuring accountability and timely redressal for road users affected by unsafe infrastructure.