Deccan Chronicle report paves way for Hyderabad HC taking suo motu PIL on roads

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court has initiated a suo motu public interest litigation following a letter by a civilian based on a news report carried by Deccan Chronicle that shed light on dangerous potholed roads in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation areas.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan and Justice S.V. Bhatt while hearing the case directed the Commissioner of the GHMC to submit a report on road conditions in GHMC areas by December 18. Suo motu impleading the Member Secretary of Telangana State Legal Services Authority as a party to the case, the bench directed the Member Secretary to monitor the repair works to roads in the city and plans adopted by the officials in managing the roads.

Deccan Chronicle on July 13, 2018 carried the news item titled ‘City roads turn death traps,’ highlighting the poorly managed potholed roads in many parts of GHMC areas, which claimed three lives in a short span of time.

Mr K. Subramanyam, a resident of East Marredpally, had written the letter to the Chief Justice attaching the news clipping urging the intervention of the High Court and to direct the concerned officials to take adequate steps to fill the potholes diligently. The case was posted to December 18.