Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 8
The NH-39 (New NH-02) two-lane road project from Kohima to Manipur border will be completed by the end of March 2023, according to the Work Program submitted in an affidavit filed by the Authority Engineer Arshad Ali before the Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court on Wednesday.
Earlier on the June 1, the division bench comprising of Justice Songkhupchung Serto and Justice Kakheto Sema had directed the Authority Engineer to file the affidavit and be present in Court in the next hearing on June 8, or face arrest. The bench is currently hearing a PIL in “view of the deplorable condition of the road” on NH-2.
Complying with the Court’s directive, Arshad Ali filed his affidavit in person, enclosing the Work Program for re-construction and completion project on June 8. He also tendered his apology for not appearing on the earlier dates, which was accepted by the Court.
As per the Court order issued after the hearing on June 8, the Work Program submitted by the Engineer stated that, “the re-construction of the two lanes will be completed by the end of March 2023.”
Basing on the affidavit filed by the Authority Engineer, the Amicus Curiae pointed out several issues; the first being that the maintenance-work of the Contractor is not satisfactory. He also pointed out that there is shortage of manpower and machinery as per the affidavit, if the Project has to be completed as per the timeline. It was further submitted that according to the Authority Engineer, 120 laborers are required but only 60 are present at the work-site as on the day of hearing. Further, he also pointed out that on and above the machineries that are already deployed, there is need for deploying two more Graders, two more Excavators, and two more JCBs for completion of the work in time.
Towards this, the counsel appearing for the Contractor, who is one of the respondents, submitted that the Contractor has accepted the Work Program submitted by the Authority Engineer and the work would be completed as per the timeline indicated.
The counsel submitted that the shortfall of 60 labourers would be met within two days. However, the machineries would be deployed within the month of July. The Contractor shall do the needful to meet the shortfall in the strength of labourers and machineries within the timeline submitted by the counsel, the Court order stated.
“After hearing the parties including the NHIDCL through its counsel, the Work Program submitted by the Authority Engineer is accepted. The Contractor shall keep the timelines given and complete the work in time,” it added.
In addition, the Court also noted that some specific concerns have been raised during the hearing, such as; the non-placement of Road-Signages, particularly at places where culverts are under construction; as well as the extremely bad condition of the road on the stretch between the last Police Station of Nagaland and Khuzama Village and at 201+100 chainage.
The Contractor shall take immediate measures so that the road conditions in these particular places are improved. Since the onset of monsoon, the condition of the road has worsened causing many accidents and inconveniences; therefore, the Contractor is directed to improve the maintenance of the road within a period of two weeks from today, it said.
It also directed the Contractor to place the Road-Signage immediately where they are needed most. “Towards the end of the coming two weeks, we request the learned Amicus Curiae to visit the site along with all the stakeholders so that he may be able to inform this Court as to the improvement made by the Contractor,” it further stated, while also directing the Authority Engineer and the NHIDCL to see to it that the Contractor executes the work as per the specifications.
Meanwhile, taking cognizance of the Contractor’s submission that “some local problems have arisen while making drainage to drain off the water from the road,” for which a letter has been sent to the SDO(C) of the circle concerned, the Court directed Senior Additional AG TB Jamir to take up the matter up with the Government so that no hindrance is caused to the Contractor while executing the work.
Listing the matter again for June 22, it directed the Authority Engineer to file an affidavit on or before that day, showing the progress of the work in reference to the Work Program submitted today with the affidavit.
