In August 2019 The Karnataka High Court directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike- BBMP to award damages to victims of road accidents back in July. This was in response to PIL filed by Citizens Action Forum that sought to move the court to give compensation to those who were adversely affected by the condition of bad roads.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and comprising of Justice PM Nawaz observed that tax-paying citizens are at a high risk of getting injured due to the bad condition of roads. Prior to the judgment, victims had to move the court to seek compensation.
In order to avoid going to court over the issue, the judges held that any aggrieved party can directly approach the civic body for compensation.
The court also said that the BBMP would be liable to pay compensation to victims or their families who incur losses due to these hazardous roads.
“The scope of Article 21 has been expanded by the Supreme Court. Every citizen has a right to a meaningful and dignified life and good roads are absolutely necessary. Ensuring pothole-free roads is a legal and constitutional obligation of the BBMP,” Justice Oka observed.
On the same lines, Belagavi has bad roads and many have lost life due to bad roads by City corporation and even by Belagavi Smart city ltd.
So aren’t we the citizens of Belagavi also eligible for such compensation?
Source and inputs: thenewsminute.com & DeccanHerald
Compensations should be extended not only to the lost life but also to the damages caused to the vehicles. Potholes do damage vehicles of every riders.