NHAI assured High Court to complete repair of Jowai to Ratacherra Highway by January 10, 2023

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 13, 2022

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Tuesday assured the High Court of Meghalaya for complete repair and restoration of the entire stretch of 102.255 km from Jowai to Ratacherra by January 10, 2023.

The assurance were made during the hearing of PIL No. 11 of 2022 between Kynjaimon Amse vs National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) & ors.

The NHAI submitted that substantial repair work on NH 6 has been completed, but at some places the repair work along with the usual maintenance are continuing.

The present condition of the Jowai bypass which is in a terrible state were also raised during the hearing.

Vehicles coming from the Shillong side and going to Khliehriat and beyond, particularly goods vehicles, use the bypass. Similarly, Shillong or Guwahati-bound vehicles coming from the Silchar side and not needing to go to Jowai use the bypass.

The Court observed thar the said bypass is in a deplorable condition and requires immediate repair.

However the counsel for NHAI stated that it is not immediately clear that whether the responsibility for repairing the bypass is of the NHAI or of the State PWD (Roads).

The bypass requires immediate repair work for it to be usable, the Court instructed whether it is the NHAI or the State PWD (Roads) but the appropriate organization should ensure repair work is completed by the middle of January, 2023.

The petitioner will forward a copy of this order to the State PWD
(Roads) for immediate appropriate action, in the event it is the PWD (Roads) which is responsible for the relevant stretch of road.

The Court directed the State to file a status report to indicate the state of roads and the extent of repair work undertaken by PWD (Roads) to repair and maintain the same.