Meghalaya HC suggests website for citizens to report potholes

The High Court of Meghalaya has asked road authorities to consider setting up a website where people can upload photographs and live locations of potholes, so that damaged stretches can be found and fixed quickly.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W. Diengdoh made the suggestion while hearing a public interest litigation on the condition of roads across the state, The Shillong Times reported on Sunday.

What the court said

"In the meantime, all authorities to consider creation of a website on which citizens can upload photographs of the road where there are potholes, in order to enable the concerned authority to take note of the same and ensure its repair at the earliest, failing which appropriate action can be taken against the authority/contractor," the Bench observed.

The proposal has been put to the Public Works Department, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). Their counsel have been told to file affidavits setting out what steps the agencies plan to take before the next hearing.

The court also warned that a failure to deal with potholes could lead to action against the authorities in charge of road maintenance or the contractors concerned.

Shillong-Dawki corridor

In a separate case, PIL No. 6 of 2026, the same Bench on November 5 took on record a status report from NHIDCL on the Shillong-Dawki corridor, submitted through Assistant Solicitor General Dr N. Mozika.

The Shillong Times said the report covers a vulnerability assessment of the corridor carried out by IIT Guwahati, an assessment of damage to buildings caused by construction work, the repair of potholes on the Shillong-Dawki Road, and compliance with the court's directions of September 29, 2026.

The court had earlier directed that expert reports be included and scientific studies done before roads are built in hilly areas. Those directions also apply to the high-speed corridor planned along the Guwahati-Silchar road, the report said.

Amicus curiae Philemon Nongbri asked for time to examine the report, visit the affected areas and then assist the court or submit his own report. The Bench agreed and listed the matter for December 1, 2026.

NHAI's counsel told the court that the authority had no role in the case because it was neither building nor maintaining the road. The court then directed the Registry to remove NHAI from the list of respondents in that PIL.

The Shillong-Dawki road links the state capital to the Dawki land port on the Bangladesh border and is a busy tourist route to the Umngot river. Residents along the route have complained of damage linked to widening work.