Shillong, Dec 11: The Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday directed S. Panthi, Amicus Curiae, to inspect the 5 km damaged portion of National Highway-6 between Jowai and Ratacherra highway and file a short report before the returnable date regarding the submission of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Counsel S. Sengupta that repair work in this stretch has been completed.
A division bench of the High Court consisting of Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Biswadeep Bhattacharjee was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by late Kynjaimon Amse regarding the condition of National Highway-6.
“We also direct that the repair work for the rest of the 45 km should continue towards completion as assured by Mr. S. Sengupta,” the High Court division bench stated.
The Court also stated that the State government shall render all assistance to the authority to ensure smooth movement of traffic during this repairing work.
Earlier, the Counsel for NHAI submitted before the Court that emergency repair work has been carried out in this 5 km stretch in compliance with this bench’s earlier order.
Sengupta further submitted before the Court that the remaining portion of the repair work would be completed by March, 2025.
The Court also stated that K. Khan, Additional Advocate General (AAG) appearing for the State submitted that the government has rendered all assistance to the authority to ensure the smooth movement of traffic during this repair work.
It may be mentioned that in its earlier order dated November 6, 2024, this bench of the High Court had noted that the damaged portion of national highway (NH-6) between Jowai and Ratacherra was 45 km, the length of the entire highway being 102.225 km.
Out of this stretch, 5 km was very badly damaged and the Court had among other things, directed the NHAI to repair this 5 km on an emergency basis so that it became conveniently pliable by vehicles.