Morung Express News
Kohima | September 3
The Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction over the slow progress of the 26.7-kilometre Kohima–Mao Gate project on National Highway-2.
Resuming the hearing of Public Interest Litigation (Suo Motu) concerning the NH-2, a Division Bench of Justice Devashis Barua and Justice Pranjal Das noted that the contractor, Vechupa Rose & Co., on April 3 had given an undertaking that the road would be completed on or before May 31.
However, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) counsel informed the Bench that only 70% of the work had been completed.
In this connection, the Bench enquired with the counsel as to whether any action had been taken against the contractor for failure to complete the work despite the undertaking.
While duly noting that a portion of the road had completely collapsed due to a landslide, the Court pointed out that it occurred only after the deadline.
The Court also asked the counsel for the contractor the reason behind the missed deadline, but the latter replied that he had no instructions in that regard.
Accordingly, the Court observed that both NHIDCL and the contractor appeared to be “not serious” with the present proceedings and with no instructions provided to their counsels.
Taking a stern view, the Bench directed the competent representatives from NHIDCL and the contractor to personally apprise the Court of the status of works and indicate when the 26.7 km stretch would be completed. The Court fixed the matter for further hearing on September 17.
Earlier, the Amicus Curiae of the PIL submitted that due to the collapse of a 100-metre stretch, the State had provided alternative land wherein the road can be constructed. The Amicus further submitted that there may be a requirement on the part of NHIDCL for a fresh work order in respect of construction for that portion of the road which has to be freshly built.
NH-29 issue
Meanwhile, in another Suo Motu PIL concerning NH-29, the counsel for contractor M/S Brand Eagles, responsible for the Bailey Steel Bridge at Chainage 155, submitted that there was progress in the work and it would likely be completed as per the contract agreement by the end of September.
Besides, with the contractor’s earlier undertaking that Package-III is expected to be completed by September 28, the Court directed the firm to provide an update on the progress on or before the next hearing on September 24. As per Court records on July 16, the progress of the work as of July 14 stood at 73.87%.
The contractor was also directed to provide an update as to whether an additional work order has been allotted for the sinking area at Chainage-164.
The counsel for M/S Maccaferri Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., responsible for slope management, submitted to the Court that works related to slope management in respect of the three packages, as well as barricading of rockfall areas, were in “full progress.”
Accordingly, the Bench directed the contractor to bring on record the progress of the work allotted to them on or before the next hearing on September 24.
However, there was no update on the status of Chainage 126 concerning the riverbank expansion of the Chathe River. The status of the section of NH-29 under the State’s Public Works Department was not discussed during the September 3 hearing.
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