NH-2 Lerie Junction to Mao Gate dotted with potholes: HC Kohima Bench informed

Amicus Curiae inspection report highlights various issues on ongoing NH-2 construction

Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 1

The National Highway (NH)-2 from Lerie Junction to Mao Gate is dotted with potholes of various shapes and sizes while overlay in many places are ‘peeling off and damaged,’ the Amicus Curiae of a suo moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the ongoing road construction of the stretch told the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench.

On September 21, the Court had requested the Amicus Curiae, A Zhimomi to inspect the road from Lerie Junction to Mao Gate considering the “unsatisfactory performance” of the contractor.

On September 28, the Amicus Curiae’s inspection report, conducted along with representatives of the NHIDCL, Authority Engineer and Contractor, was taken up by the Division Bench comprising of Justices LS Jamir and Songkhupchung Serto.

The portion from Lerie Colony Gate to 2 kilometre towards Mao is covered with many potholes, the report said, adding that the particular portion is still being looked after by Nagaland Public Works Department (National Highway).

Just a few metres from the Lerie Colony Gate, from where the inspection started, there are huge potholes covering the entire breadth of the road that need to need to be immediately attended to, it said.

Some portions in the overlay section are yet to be overlaid while the overlaid portions are damaged and falling apart, it noted adding that the whole stretch requires repair or maintenance

Meanwhile, at Phesama village area, the report, among others, noted that the work done so far has “been damaged in many places and potholes dot the road.”

“There are huge potholes just before reaching the Kisama Gate. The overlay section has peeled off in large sections,” it added. 

Apart from a few construction workers working on the drainage and one JCB levelling the road, there was little work being done, it observed. 

In Kigwema village area, the report informed the road is filled with potholes and the overlay is “peeling off and damaged.”

The portion of the NH passing through Jakhama village is significantly damaged and filled with potholes, small and large, it further stated. 

Clearing, reconstruction/construction of the 4 box culverts in this area is being obstructed by the landowners and submission to Deputy Commissioner about the same has not been responded so far, the Amicus Curiae was told.

In Viswema area, the report said that visible maintenance work has been done till its border with Khuzama village, though the ride quality needs to be improved.

However, there were some issues in construction of box culverts due rainfall as well as ‘obstruction from the landowners.’

From Khuzama village towards Mao gate, some filling of potholes has been done, with one JCB on site, but the road is still in a “very bad condition, and there are many potholes, large and small, which need to be filled up along with levelling,” the report said. Here too, there was issue of obstruction.

While the construction of drainage is underway and some maintenance work has been done, as recommended by the Amicus Curiae previous report (May 18), however, the condition of the road is still deplorable and more needs to be done in terms of work on the ground, the report stated. 

Nagaland PWD (NH) impleaded in PIL
“It appears that more work-force would be required for the execution and completion of the contract, within the stipulated time,” it noted, further suggesting the impleadment of NPWD (NH) in the PIL as it maintains 2km of the road from Lerie Gate.

Accordingly, the Bench directed that the NPWD (NH) be made a party in the PIL. 

Observing that maintenance work of road has been “hampered by landowners” as well as many heavy vehicles are being randomly parked at various points along stretch, the Bench directed the Additional Advocate General, Nagaland to apprise the Court about the steps taken by the State authority/State administration with regard to the obstruction the landowners and removal of randomly parked heavy vehicles.

Taking serious note on the lack of adequate machinery, workforce for execution and completion of the contract work within the stipulated time, the Bench also directed the Contractor concerned to mobilise adequate machinery and workforce to ensure that the timeline given in its earlier orders are met without further delay.

Listing the matter for further hearing on October 12, the Bench also directed the Authority Engineer to file a comprehensive report with regard to the progress made by the Contractor in executing the work. 

“In case, the progress of the work is not as per the timeline given in our earlier orders, appropriate order will be passed against the Contractor,” it added.