EDITORIAL
The government must look for new technology to keep the roads pothole-free
Potholes have claimed nearly 9,500 lives and left almost 20,000 others injured over the past five years, according to data submitted by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in the Lok Sabha. The number of fatalities has risen from 1,555 in 2020 to 2,385 in 2024. During this period, of the 9,438 lives lost, Uttar Pradesh alone accounted for 5,127 fatalities.
According to the data, Madhya Pradesh recorded the second-highest number of pothole-related deaths at 969, followed by Tamil Nadu (612), Odisha (425), Punjab (414) and Assam (395). For the same period, the number of pothole-related deaths in Goa is shown as zero. Surprisingly, even states like Bihar and Andhra Pradesh have reported zero such cases, raising questions about the accuracy of reporting.
During this period, 9,625 persons were grievously injured and more than 10,000 others sustained minor injuries in pothole-related crashes. As for pothole-related accidents, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways stated that the number increased from 3,713 in 2020 to 5,432 in 2024. This again raises concerns about whether the data has been compiled accurately.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Digambar Kamat has a challenging task ahead. For many years, every monsoon has left Goa grappling with potholed roads across the state, including highways. Contrary to popular belief, Goa’s highways – except for one stretch in Mormugao taluka – are maintained by the PWD (Highways Section) and not by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The PWD earlier handled water supply as well, but this was separated last year with the creation of a new Department of Drinking Water.
Kamat was appointed PWD Minister in August last year. His appointment raised expectations, given the changes he introduced earlier as Minister for Power and Art & Culture. More than 20 years ago, he pushed for underground cabling and initiated concepts such as mobile transformers. He also revamped the functioning of the Art & Culture Department by developing new infrastructure, including Ravindra Bhavans and the Central Library at Patto, Panaji. Present education secretary Prasad Lolyenkar was its director then.
Over the years, ministers have blamed “heavy monsoons” for the poor condition of roads. This cannot justify the recurring deterioration. Opposition parties attribute the problem to corruption. District Collectors issue orders prohibiting road digging from the end of summer, yet some department or the other proceeds to dig up roads for “developmental projects”. Motorists are then forced to navigate partially damaged roads for months, putting their lives at risk. For pedestrians, the experience can be equally distressing. To say that our roads are better than those in bigger states only shows that we don’t want to be the best.
A few years ago, a jet-patcher was introduced and continues to be used during dry spells in the monsoon season. However, the authorities often appear indifferent to the inconvenience faced by commuters. When traffic was diverted through village roads due to the construction of the Porvorim flyover, were adequate road conditions ensured for motorists?
The government must make effective use of technology in the transport sector. The authorities have at least three months to prepare for the monsoon and ensure roads remain pothole-free. Hopefully, the new Principal Chief Engineer will bring about necessary changes at the ground level. Greater allocation should be made in the forthcoming Budget for the PWD to ensure that road infrastructure is properly maintained, especially during the monsoon. The government must find sustainable solutions to prevent the formation of potholes and to address them immediately when they appear. Road safety must be treated as a top priority.
