Meghalaya HC directs NHAI to make dilapidated NH-6 motorable

The Meghalaya High Court on Thursday directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to make the dilapidated national highway (NH-6) motorable.

“This Court is not really interested in the letters exchanged between NHAI officials or the written instructions issued to contractors; what is important is when the work starts and when it is completed to
make the road somewhat motorable and, thereafter, complete the strengthening thereof,” the division bench comprising of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice B Bhattacharjee said in its order while hearing a PIL on the matter.

An affidavit filed by NHAI on September 27, had indicated that the Regional Officer of NHAI posted
in Guwahati had already visited the site on September 16.

The instructions given by the Regional Officer are recorded in the site inspection report of September 16.

It said that specific instructions have been issued on September 19, 2023 to one of the contractors and to the Project Director of NHAI to take immediate short-term measures to make the entire stretch of NH -6 from Jowai to Ratacherra traffic – worthy.

The bench said that much emphasis has been laid in the relevant letters to the two critical locations at Khliehriat town and near the tunnel at Sonapyrdi.

The Regional Officer’s letter requires the critical stretches, where this Court had previously observed that there was no sign of any road, to be repaired by October 15, 2023 and the short -term repair work
of the entire 57 km stretch is to be completed by November 15, 2023.

“It is hoped that appropriate funds would be released for the work to be taken up on a war footing and on a daily basis,” it said.

Meanwhile, the bench has directed both the petitioner and the NHAI to indicate the extent of work undertaken till then.

It has also asked the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills district to cause a report as to the extent of work carried out in Khliehriat town and beyond Khliehriat to the south up to Lumshnong.

The next hearing will be held on October 5.