SHILLONG, MAR 20: Meghalaya High Court questioned the National Highways Authority of India’s claim that strengthening work on the Jowai‑Ratacherra stretch is complete, after an Amicus report documented large potholes at Byndihati, Tonseng and Ratacherra and blocked drains causing water‑logging.

“It appears that the statement made by Mr Chauhan…is incorrect,” the division bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W Diengdoh observed in its order passed on Thursday.

Referring to the Amicus report on the inspection of entire stretch following a March 11 order, it said, “The said report…is taken on record. To the report are annexed photographs of the potholes. It appears that in the portion of the road at Byndihati, Tonseng before the bridge, there are big potholes in the middle of the road, Ratacherra near the petrol pump. There are also big potholes in Tonseng warranting immediate attention. It is further mentioned in the report that the guard walls, drain erected in most the stretches, slabs are either blocked or not in order leading to water logging in some of the stretches.”

The bench also noted the PIL has been pending since 2022 and “almost four years have lapsed and yet the road is not completely done.”

The bench has ordered Project Director Anand Singh Chauhan to appear on March 20 and allowed time for the Amicus to place the incorrect statements on record.