Tue Oct 14 21:33:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

The Bombay High Court has ordered civic bodies and state agencies to compensate victims and families affected by pothole-related accidents. The court has fixed personal liability on senior officials for delays in addressing the issue and revived a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to monitor compliance. The court emphasizes that the right to pothole-free roads is a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution and demands strict action against those responsible for substandard road construction and maintenance. The court mandates compensation payouts, strict timelines for pothole repairs, and the establishment of committees to monitor compliance.

**News Article:**

**Bombay High Court Orders Compensation for Pothole Victims, Holds Officials Personally Liable**

**MUMBAI, October 15, 2025** – In a landmark ruling, the Bombay High Court has mandated significant compensation for victims and their families affected by accidents caused by potholes on Mumbai’s roads. The court has directed civic bodies and state agencies to pay ₹6 lakh to families of those who die in pothole-related accidents, and between ₹50,000 and ₹2.5 lakh for injuries, depending on the severity.

The ruling, delivered on October 13th by a Division Bench, also holds senior officials personally liable for delays in addressing the persistent problem of dangerous road conditions. The court has revived a decade-old Public Interest Litigation (PIL) under the principle of “continuing mandamus” to rigorously monitor compliance and ensure that previous directives are finally enforced.

The PIL originated from a 2013 letter highlighting the “pathetic condition of roads” and resulting fatalities. Despite repeated court orders since 2015, the Bench lamented that “nothing much has changed.”

“There can be no justification whatsoever for bad and unsafe roads,” the court stated, emphasizing that Mumbai, as India’s financial capital, cannot tolerate civic apathy, especially given the substantial revenue collected through tolls and taxes. The court noted the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai’s (MCGM) financial strength as one of Asia’s richest corporations, yet the city’s roads continue to worsen.

The High Court unequivocally stated that pothole-free roads are a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life. “The right to have roads in reasonable condition is a part of the fundamental right…Good and safe roads are an essential component of such a meaningful life.”

Compensation must be disbursed within six to eight weeks. Failure to do so will result in personal liability for Municipal Commissioners, Chief Officers, District Collectors, and heads of agencies, including the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Delays will attract interest at nine per cent per annum.

Beyond compensation, the court ordered all reported potholes to be repaired within 48 hours, with failure to comply leading to departmental action. Committees will be formed to monitor compliance. Contractors found guilty of substandard work face fines, blacklisting, and potential criminal proceedings.

The court expressed particular concern for two-wheeler riders from low-income groups who are disproportionately affected by pothole-related accidents. “Unless those responsible for pothole-related deaths and injuries are made personally accountable, and are compelled to bear monetary liability from their own pockets, they will not understand the gravity of the issue,” the Bench stated.

Authorities have been ordered to submit compliance reports by November 21, 2025. The court warned that the cycle of fatalities will continue “unless civic authorities are made accountable.”

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