A view of National Highway 29 between DImapur and Kohima. (Morung File Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 20
The Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court has directed the State Government, particularly the Home Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner, to look into the issue of local interference delaying the pace of the construction of NH (Package 3).
“Look into the matter and provide security round the clock if necessary,” the Bench comprising of Justice Songkhupchung Serto and Justice Devashis Baruah on March 16, after considering the problem expressed by the contractor that frequent interference of the locals have delayed the work.
The Court further asked the Home Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner look into the issue of local miners causing a “lot of hindrance” to the ongoing work to complete a bridge (155 + 245) under the same package.
Look into the matter and resolve the issues so that the work goes on smoothly, it added.
The Court is currently hearing a Public Interest Litigation (Suo Moto) on the slow pace of the construction of 4-lane road of the National Highway (NH) 29 between Kohima and Dimapur.
In addition, with the identification of dumping site for earth cutting at Km 157-158 under Package 3, the Court also directed the contractor to continue the work by employing 3 earth cutting machineries and 8 dumpers as suggested by the Authority Engineer and complete the work by April 10.
For the black topping and maintenance of 2-lane, it has been assured by the contractor that the same would be completed by March 31, it added.
Regarding Package 1 and 2, the Court stated that the progress of the work cannot be hindered by locals by occupying the land within the Right of Way (RoW).
The Court made the conclusion after going through submissions made by the counsel of the contractor and the counsels representing the other parties.
Further expressing dissatisfaction with the affidavit filed by the contractor, the Court directed the former to complete the work as per the direction given in its March 3 order.
On March 3, the Court had directed the contractor (RAMKY-ECI JV) to file an undertaking that the works under Package I & II, “other than slope protection shall be completed by 31st March 2022 and the slope protection by 30th April 2022.”
It further directed the Oasis TechnoCons Ltd, working on Package-III, to complete the earth-cutting by April 10 and the maintenance work on the 2-lane, including black topping, should be completed by March 31.
Reiterating the same direction on March 16, the Court stated: “Needless but to make it clear, failure to comply with our direction will be followed by appropriate order.”
The next hearing of the case is scheduled on April 18.
Directions on NH 2
Meanwhile the same Bench, hearing another PIL (Suo Moto) on March 16 directed the NHIDCL and the contractor to start the maintenance work of NH-2 road “as per clause 10.4 of the Contract Agreement and follow it up with the construction of the existing road immediately” taking into consideration the deplorable condition of the road and the coming monsoon.
“In case the maintenance work is not taken up, NHIDCL shall resort to the Clause 10.4(II) of the Contract Agreement,” it added, listing the matter again on March 24.
Taking into consideration the deplorable condition of the road and the coming monsoon.
The NHIDCL was also asked to shall furnish copies of the DPR and the Contract Agreement and also copies of the correspondences between NHIDCL and the State respondents in the next hearing while General Manager, NHIDCL, Jakhama was directed to come with a report as to the progress of the maintenance work and construction of the existing road.
The State respondents shall make all efforts to resolve the land acquisition issues at the earliest but not beyond 4(four) weeks from today, it added.
