Morung Express News
Kohima | June 12
The Additional Advocate General (AAG) of Nagaland today requested another two weeks' time from the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench to file an additional affidavit on matters related to the ongoing National Highway (NH)-2 road construction project from Kohima-Mao Gate. This request was made in addition to the affidavit filed on April 10.
During the resumption of the hearing of the Public Interest Litigation (Suo Moto), however, the Division Bench of Justice LS Jamir and Justice Devashis Baruah observed that some time had lapsed since the AAG representing the State respondents initially made such a request (April 24) and allowed only one week’s time to file the additional affidavit.
The Court had directed the AAG in March to file affidavit regarding the meetings that had taken placed between the State Administration and the authorities of NHIDCL and some decisions has been taken concerning compensation and due of land for Kohima bypass portion, among other.
Meanwhile, during the oral proceedings on June 12, the Amicus Curiae of the PIL informed the Bench that the earlier deadline set for completion had lapsed on May 31.
Upon the judges' query, the contractor also informed that 73.07% physical progress had been achieved as of June 11. The counsel for the NHIDCL, meanwhile, stated that, as per its records, 68.93% of the road works had been completed.
The contractor clarified that while they included work in progress, the NHIDCL only counted the completed portion.
The Court was also informed of a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court on related matters due for the next hearing in July.
The Bench listed the matter for further hearing on June 19.
As per the Court’s records, the contract agreement for the project was signed on October 7, 2020. The work should have started on October 20, 2020, and been completed by April 22, 2022. However, as the work on the ground did not commence, the Court took up the matter on Suo Moto on April 2, 2022.
Concerning the project, the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) recently had demanded stated that the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) to submit written assurance specifying timeframe for completion of the road project.
A 15-day ultimatum served by the SAYO demanding immediate action to resolve multiple issues related to the ongoing construction of NH-2 Kohima-Mao road stretch also expires on June 14.
