Road safety in India is not just about traffic rules or speed checks. It is also about the very roads people travel on every day. A recent tragic death on National Highway-66, where a woman lost her life after hitting a pothole and being crushed by a truck, has once again shown how dangerous poor road maintenance can be. Such incidents are not rare. They are a painful reminder that potholes, uneven surfaces and careless repairs are as deadly as reckless driving.
The truth is simple: bad roads kill. Weak construction, poor materials and lack of regular inspections create potholes. When authorities and contractors ignore them, accidents become unavoidable. Under Article 21 of our Constitution, safe roads are part of our right to life. Yet, accountability is often missing.
What should be done? First, strict national rules must be made for road design, materials and repair methods. Second, audits should be frequent and transparent, with penalties for negligence. Third, contractors must follow clear standards and any violations must bring strong action. Finally, victims and families deserve quick and fair compensation when lives are lost because of poor maintenance.
India cannot keep losing lives to something as preventable as a pothole. Roads are the backbone of growth and mobility, but they must also be safe. Good infrastructure is not just about building more highways. It is about keeping them strong, smooth and safe for every citizen.
