Shillong, Oct 6: The Meghalaya High Court on Thursday pulled up the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for failing in its duties that has led to the dilapidated condition of the NH-6.

After looking at the photographs which revealed the abysmal condition of the NH-6 with potholes, the bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice B Bhattacharjee said, “This is completely unacceptable in a civilised country and it is a shame that the Court has to remind a Central body as the NHAI as to what its duties and responsibilities may be.”

“As it is, the terrain in the State is difficult to negotiate and far flung areas wait for supplies and essentials. This supply chain is completely disrupted by the poor conditions of roads, particularly of the nature in the Jowai –Ratcherra stretch of NH -6,” it said while adding “It is hoped that the repair work is completed to make the entire stretch from Jowai to Ratecherra more navigable within the next month or so.”

Directing that work of more permanent nature should be taken up shortly, the bench further stated, “No road or highway in the country can ever be allowed to be reduced to the state as in the present stretch of NH-6 from Jowai to Ratecherra.”

It also said that local officials of the State ought to have reported the matter well in advance to the higher authorities in Shillong for NHAI to be persuaded to ensure that the road was in better condition and not reduced to the pitiable state as evident from the photographs as relied upon by the petitioner.

The bench has also directed that in addition to NHAI reporting on the work undertaken and completed, the Deputy Commissioner of the East Jaintia Hills district should file an independent report as to the status of the relevant stretch of NH-6.

“The State should complete the repair and renovation of the Jowai Bypass within the next four weeks, now that the monsoon is petering out,” it stated.

Earlier, the NHAI filed a status report indicating that a new contractor has been engaged on September 29, 2023 to undertake repair operations spanning from Sonapur (km 141+500) to Ratacherra (km 171.455).

The report also indicated that the existing contractor is required to undertake repair work from Jowai (km 69.20) to Sonapur (km 141.50).

Details have been indicated as to filling the potholes, drain-cleaning in Khliehriat, the repair of damaged pavements and, particularly, attending to the Sonapur tunnel area.

The bench however hoped that the work undertaken is as good as the report so that the misery of the citizens in the locality and the trauma that the vehicles on the relevant stretch of NH-6 go through are alleviated, if not altogether removed.

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