The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday informed the Bombay high court that it will set up a helpline prior to the onset of monsoon, which would enable people to lodge complaints about potholes and poor condition of roads.

Anil Sakhare, counsel for the BMC, informed a division bench headed by Justice A S Oka that a helpline would be set up, saying: "The number will be manned by civic body engineers who, after receiving a complaint, will assign someone to repair the road. Citizens can also track their complaints."

Earlier this week, the high court had sought to know from the state's municipal corporations and councils if it had adopted any mechanism to monitor condition of roads and address the issue of potholes; also, if there was any redressal mechanism in place.

The court was hearing a suo moto public interest litigation (PIL) on the pathetic condition of roads in the state, and the incidents of bikers losing their lives due to pot holes.

Sakhare informed the court that in 2013, there were 37,000 potholes across the city, and in 2014, the number reduced to 14,000. "This year we (corporation) are trying to bring down the number substantially," he said, adding that complaints can also be filed on the civic body's website, which will be operational from June 7.

The court was also informed that in 2012, a committee was set up under the chairmanship of the civic chief. Justice Oka asked: "What has the committee done till date? Has it conducted periodical surveys of roads?" He added that the committee remains 'just on paper'.

The court also suggested that the state set up a common redressal forum which covers all authorities like the corporation, MMRDA, MSRDC, Bombay Port Trust and Public Works Department.

"A citizen will not know which road is being maintained by which authority. If a complaint is filed on a common forum, then the government can forward it to the concerned authority," the judges explained.