Says works start at 6:30 am to expedite progress
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 17
The contractor of the ongoing National Highway (NH)-2 road construction project from Kohima-Mao Gate today told the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench that there were currently 65 skilled and non-skilled labours at the spot and all the materials are ready along with the machineries to start the “work immediately.”
The Managing Director of Fortune Group (the contractor) Tapas Pathy further submitted to the Division Bench comprising of Justices Songkhupchung Serto and Justice Kakheto Sema that in 3 days, ‘120 labourers would be mobilised and 150 within 7 days to meet the target.’
He further submitted that the ‘work starts at 6:30 AM in the morning’ to expedite the works.
Following the submission, the Bench directed the Authority Engineer and the NHIDCL authority to visit ‘the site tomorrow and see if the work had really started’ and submit a report to the Court.
During the last hearing on October 12, the Court had directed for personal appearance of the contractor on October 17 after observing slow progress of work.
Meanwhile, the resuming the hearing of the suo moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL)on the progress of the ongoing road construction along the stretch on Monday, the counsel for the contractor also submitted that all the problems listed in the report by the Amicus Curiae to the Court on September 28 has been resolved except three.
These were obstruction in the construction of 2 culverts between Dzükou point and Bharat Petrol pump; obstruction by the petrol pump owner and the stone quarry owner at chainage 201+200, in the construction of 300m long stretch of the road; and obstruction in the construction of box culvert near Tepul colony in Viswema village by the landowner.
DC Kohima directed to resolves ‘obstruction’
On these issues, the Bench noted that it had earlier directed the State Government to see that the problems are resolved so that no obstruction is caused on the ground for smooth execution of work.
The Revenue Officer Kohima and the SDO(C)Jakhama in their letters to the Additional Advocate General (AG),Nagaland and to Deputy Commissioner Kohima, respectively, had mentioned steps were already taken steps towards resolving the issues, it noted. The contents of letters were discussed before the Court on October 12.
However, in view of the new submission by the counsel of the contractor on October 17, the Bench observed that the issues are “still alive” and the steps so far have not “been effective enough.”
To this end, the Bench directed the DC Kohima to take the responsibility upon himself and resolve the issues so that the ongoing work at the places mentioned above are no longer obstructed.
“The Deputy Commissioner shall also ensure that the earlier directions of this Court regarding the issue of parking of vehicles along this stretch of the road project are complied with,” the Bench stated in its October 17 order.
The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), Authority Engineer and the contractor were further directed to complete the work and also to maintain the road.
Stating that such directives are repeatedly issued, the order added: “We make it clear that in case, they continue to neglect the directions given by us appropriate order or orders shall be passed.”
Only 16% works completed
Earlier during the hearing, the Amicus Curiae (re) highlighted the Bench regarding his ground inspection report.
He further reminded “once again” that the project was originally slated to have been executed and completed between October 20, 2020 to April 22, 2022, but due to the non-completion, the PIL was taken up on March 2, 2022.
On many occasions the parties involved in this case have been directed collectively to complete the project within the timeline prepared by them that is on or before 2nd March, 2023, he added.
“But on seeing the work on the ground and as per the report of both the Authority Engineer and the Amicus curiae, it appears that the work completed so far is only 16% whereas it should have been at least 35% by 27th of this Month,” the Bench observed, before issuing the aforesaid directives.
The Bench listed the case for further hearing on October 19, to assess the report of the NHIDCL and the Authority Engineer.
The Additional AG Nagaland was also directed to submit a report regarding the directions given State respondents before October 26.
The DC Kohima is also directed to file an affidavit showing the steps taken to resolve the work obstruction issues, it added.
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