Nagpur: Nagpur’s crumbling roads and uncovered manholes have once again landed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) in the dock, with the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court bluntly asking whether these life-threatening problems can ever be solved permanently. Hearing a matter related to public safety, the High Court questioned the civic body’s habit of resorting to temporary patchwork while citizens continue to risk their lives on city roads.
A division bench comprising Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Raj Wakode directed the NMC to file a detailed affidavit within a week, spelling out the long-term measures being taken to tackle potholes and open sewer chambers. Expressing serious concern over repeated accidents, the judges asked pointedly whether safer and more durable manhole covers could be installed instead of unreliable ones that frequently break or go missing.
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The court made it clear that if the NMC’s response is found unsatisfactory, it would not hesitate to constitute a special committee to study the issue and recommend permanent solutions. “Public safety cannot be compromised due to poor planning or lax maintenance,” the bench orally observed, underlining that civic negligence can no longer be tolerated.
The matter is being heard as a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL), initiated by the High Court in September 2025 after taking note of the alarming condition of roads and sewer lines in Nagpur. The judges noted that potholes and open manholes pose a constant threat to motorists, pedestrians, residents and even animals, particularly during the monsoon, when visibility is poor and waterlogged roads turn into invisible death traps.
The issue gained urgency following the tragic death of Prashant Bhagat (36), who lost his life after falling into an open well near Sharda Ispat Company on Kamptee Road. His widow, Asha Uttamrao Bhagat, has approached the court seeking Rs 20 lakh compensation, holding the NMC responsible for gross negligence.
In a related hearing, the High Court also pulled up the NMC over the quality and inspection mechanism of stormwater drain covers installed along internal roads. The bench asked the civic body to explain what system it follows to check the durability and safety of these covers, and directed it to submit a written reply by Monday.
During arguments, it emerged that over 10,000 sewer chamber covers across the city are either broken or missing, leaving gaping holes on roads and footpaths. The court noted with concern that such open chambers endanger both human and animal lives, and also pointed out that the NMC has no clear compensation policy for victims of such accidents.
Taking a stern view earlier, the High Court had ordered registration of a PIL and later expanded its scope to cover multiple civic safety issues. The bench said it expected concrete information about the quality standards of chambers and covers being installed by the NMC.
Appearing for the civic body, Advocate Abhay Sambare submitted an affidavit stating that the NMC uses ductile iron covers or steel fibre reinforced covers, and that Indian Standard codes are followed. However, the court’s repeated queries suggest that mere claims on paper may not be enough to explain the grim ground reality.
Advocate Shilpa Giratkar appeared as amicus curiae and for the petitioners, assisting the court in examining the larger issue of civic accountability. The case will be taken up again after the NMC submits its fresh affidavit, one that the court expects to go beyond excuses and finally address Nagpur’s long-standing and deadly civic hazards.
