<h3 data-start="92" data-end="176">Criminal Charges Loom Over Highway Contractors After Pothole Death in Valsad</h3>
Collector issues tough warning after youth dies on NH-48; contractors told to fix road in 10 days
In a decisive move following the tragic death of a youth on National Highway-48, the Valsad district administration has announced that contractors responsible for maintaining the highway could now face criminal prosecution under the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS).
The fatal accident occurred on the severely damaged stretch of NH-48 connecting Vapi and Valsad in southern Gujarat. The youth reportedly lost control and fell into a deep pothole, highlighting the deplorable state of this vital road link.
Issuing a stern public notice on 11 July 2025, Valsad District Collector Bhavya Verma warned that any further loss of life or injuries resulting from pothole-ridden roads would lead to immediate criminal action against contractors tasked with the highway&rsquo;s upkeep.
&ldquo;This highway is the backbone connecting Maharashtra to Ahmedabad, passing through Valsad. Its current condition is not only unacceptable but dangerous,&rdquo; the notification read.
The Collector made it clear that the onus for road maintenance lies with the contractor appointed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). In line with the contractual obligations, the contractor has been given a 10-day ultimatum to restore the damaged sections of the road.
Failure to comply will trigger prosecution under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita, which could attract up to five years&rsquo; imprisonment. In cases where negligence leads to injury or death, the minimum sentence could extend to six months, the notice added.
Police stations across the district have been instructed to register cases if contractors defy the order. Since the notice cannot be delivered directly to all concerned parties, the public notification now serves as formal legal intimation.
Local transport unions have been protesting the worsening state of the highway, which has led to longer commute times, higher fuel consumption, and mounting vehicle maintenance costs.
This bold step by the district administration marks a turning point in public infrastructure governance&mdash;shifting the burden of accountability squarely onto contractors and signalling that poor maintenance can have legal, and even penal, consequences.

Aeria view of potholes on national highway-48 in Valsad district

Valsad Collector warns contractors of jail for poor upkeep after fatal pothole accident

Criminal Charges Over NH-48 Pothole Death

Valsad Collector warns contractors of jail for poor upkeep after fatal pothole accident

July 12, 2025 | 14:01 IST