High Court Slams Authorities Over Poor Roads

The High Court has taken a strong stance on Chhattisgarh's dilapidated roads and the frequent road accidents. The court stated that the poor condition and black spots on roads like National Highway 343 and NH-130 are causing loss of lives. Following the submission of affidavits from the Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), the court directed that the responsible agencies be held accountable and take prompt corrective action. The court stated that saving citizens' lives is a top priority and that no department or company found negligent will be spared. The next hearing in the case will be held on October 10.

The High Court's attention came when 19 people died when a pickup truck's brakes failed. The driver jumped off the vehicle, and the vehicle plunged into a 35-foot-deep ravine. When news of the accident was published in newspapers, the court took suo motu cognizance and filed the case as a public interest litigation. The PWD Secretary told the court that the central government has approved approximately ₹740 crore for the improvement of the Ambikapur-Ramanujganj-Garhwa Road (NH-343). The work has been divided into three packages. The contract was awarded in May 2025, but work has stalled due to rain. Currently, temporary repairs are underway at a cost of ₹2.81 crore. Several proposals for repairing black spots have been submitted to the central government, but approval is awaited.

NHAI stated that many of the 10 black spots in Bilaspur, Mungeli, and Balodabazar-Bhatapara districts have been removed. A new service road at Sendri Junction in Bilaspur is 90% complete. A tender for the construction of a service road at Limtara turn has been issued at a cost of ₹3.98 crore. The court commissioner's report revealed that adequate safety measures are not taken when transporting fly ash from power plants located on NH-130 from Korba to Raipur. The ash flying from trucks creates zero visibility even during the day. This not only causes road accidents but also spreads respiratory diseases in the surrounding villages. The court acknowledged that this is ruining the repair work done on the highway.
The court has sought clarifications from power plants other than NTPC and CSPGCL, such as KSK Mahanadi, DB Power (Baradarha), BALCO, SKS Power, ACB Power, and other independent power producers. The Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board has also been made a party and asked to submit its affidavit in the court. The High Court clarified that the matter will now be regularly monitored.