Mumbai, Sep 6 (DNA): Now on, road engineers to be responsible for potholes.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has created a separate post of road engineer, who will be held liable for pothole-ridden roads.

The corporation has also started giving negative points to these officials that will lead to monetary penalty.

BMC commissioner Sitaram Kunte submitted a presentation before the Bombay high court on Thursday on the action plan to be undertaken to fix the issue of potholes and of accountability of civic officials and contractors.

The HC was hearing suo motu (on its own) a public interest litigation (PIL) on the poor condition of roads in the state and the recent incidents of bikers losing their lives on pothole-ridden roads.

Sitting HC judge Justice Gautam Patel had written a letter to Justice Shah, drawing his attention to the pathetic condition of the roads.

This letter was converted by the chief justice into a PIL and notices were issued to the civic bodies of Mumbai and other cities.

The Action Plan states that Road Engineers will supervise road works, including repairs of potholes. “They will inspect roads in their clusters and submit a road condition report every 10 days,” the action plan said.

If the official concerned does not act within 48 hours, he will receive one negative point. After100 negative points, an entry will be made in his official records. The BMC will also act against contractors who fail to construct good roads or repair potholes. Repeated failures will lead to suspension of registration.

The court directed the PWD to submit their Action Plan on the Western Express and Eastern Express highways, Sion-Panvel highway and the roads leading to International Airport – on the next date of hearing on October 4.