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Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 23
The Gauhati High Court’s Kohima Bench has held that the boundary dispute between Peren and Chümoukedima districts should not impede construction of National Highway-329A, observing that the project is in the public interest and has been a “long wait” for people living along the Pimla Junction-Mhainamtsi stretch.
Construction of the National Highway would be in the interest of the public, stated an order passed by Division Bench of Justice Devashis Baruah and Justice Helen Daungliani on September 23 in a Public Interest Litigation concerning the highway.
Meanwhile, the Court take note of compliance affidavits filed by the Deputy Commissioners of Peren and Chümoukedima, which informed that in pursuant to its June 3 order, public notices had been issued in widely circulated newspapers regarding the Right of Way (RoW) for NH-329A by both Deputy Commissioners.
Persons whose land would be affected by the highway subsequently submitted No Objection Certificates (NOCs), detailing the affected areas and stating that they had no objection to construction within the RoW provided due compensation was paid.
They also stated that they would not raise disputes in future, as per the submissions.
However, the affidavits referred to a boundary dispute between Peren and Chümoukedima districts that is pending consideration before the State Government.
The Court said this dispute should not come in the way of construction of NH-329A, accordingly listing the PIL to be listed December 10 for hearing.
In the meantime, the Court directed the DCs of Peren and Chümoukedima, along with the concerned Additional Deputy Commissioners, to verify the extent of land involved for those who have submitted NOC and assess the compensation payable.
The concerned DCs were further directed to forward their compensation assessment reports to the Commissioner, Nagaland, who will then forward them to the Commissioner & Secretary, Works & Housing.
Copies are also to be sent to the Managing Director of NHIDCL for onward submission to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), as well as to the MoRTH Nodal Officer by the Commissioner & Secretary, Works & Housing, the Court added.
It also directed that an update be placed before the Court on the next date of hearing.
