Morung Express News
Dimapur/Kohima | October 23
With the submission of an affidavit concerning the termination of the contract for the ongoing construction of the National Highway-2 Kohima-Mao project, the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench (GHCKB) has directed the NHIDCL to update the Court on the next course of action.
As per the October 23 Court’s order, the contract between the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and the EPC contractor M/s Fortune Group “stands terminated w.e.f. 18/09/2024.”
Accordingly, the Division Bench of Justice Kakheto Sema and Justice Budi Habung directed the counsel for the NHIDCL to provide necessary instructions regarding what steps it proposed to take concerning the portion of the project that remains incomplete due to the termination of the contract.
Regarding the two tenders for the short-term maintenance of the NH-2 Kohima to Mao stretch, the counsel requested one week to issue the Letter of Award (LOA) to the successful bidder.
The NHIDCL received tenders from two bidders for each section on October 21, and the technical evaluation and EMD verification are currently in process, the counsel stated.
According to the court’s records, the first tender addresses an 8.46 km stretch (Km 185.540 to Km 194.000), while the second covers 18.334 km (Km 194.000 to Km 212.334).
Hence, the bench directed the NHIDCL counsel to file a detailed affidavit on the instructions sought by the court, listing the suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) for the next hearing on October 23.
As per previous hearings, , despite the contract period having expired, only 74.23% of the physical work and 72.13% of the financial progress had been completed as on September 4.
It must be noted here that The Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO), on October 20, started restricting the movement of vehicles with more than three axles from plying on NH-2 within its jurisdiction with the expiry of the 15-day ultimatum which the SAYO served to the State Government on October 4 for the immediate restoration and upgradation stretch.
