An excavator is seen working atop the Chathe riverbank at the Tsiedukhru Range stretch of National Highway-29 on October 29. The area, prone to frequent soil erosion, is being cleared to manage the river’s flow. (Morung Photo)
Kohima, October 29 (MExN): The Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, on Wednesday pulled up the State Government for apparent delay in constructions’ works on National Highway-29 asking pointedly, “So you need six years to get 27 kilometres repaired?”
The observation came during the hearing of PIL (Suo Moto), pertaining to the long-pending construction of the Dimapur–Kohima four-lane highway.
The Bench expressed strong concern over the deteriorating condition of the road, particularly the 27-kilometre stretch between Jotsoma and Lerie, under the Nagaland PWD (NH) Department noting that the issue has persisted since 2019.
During the last hearing on September 24, the Court had directed the presence of the jurisdictional Executive Engineer, NPWD (NH) during the next hearing on October 29.
However, the Additional Advocate General (AAG), Nagaland, informed the Court that Executive Engineer could not be present due to the ongoing pen-down strike, which the Bench flagged noting that it was a matter “of grave importance, not for the Court but for the people of Nagaland.”
“You should have filed an application,” the Bench orally told the AAG.
The Amicus Curiae informed the Bench that parts of the highway had nearly collapsed over the past three months, severely disrupting connectivity.
The Court expressed displeasure that no application had been filed in advance explaining the officer’s absence, stressing that “science has advanced so much” and that a lack of expertise or mechanism could not justify the delay.
The Amicus further clarified that the project is divided into four packages — the first three executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), and the fourth, from Jotsoma bypass to Lerie, maintained by the Nagaland PWD (NH).
The Court stated that the presence of the Executive Engineer was essential to assist in identifying immediate remedies and directed that he must be present at the next hearing. While adjourning the matter, the Bench cautioned that there should be no “stalemate” in the meantime, instructing the concerned authorities to continue repair and restoration works.
Emphasising that the case is a suo motu PIL filed in public interest, the Bench deferred further deliberation to November 15, directing the State to ensure the officer’s attendance and to update the Court on progress made.
Other related issues including riverbank expansion, rockslides and so on are expected to be taken up during the next hearing.
