The State government has started the work for repair of Shillong – Jowai road which is part of National Highway-6 despite adequate funds not being released for the purpose by the Central government.
Informing the division bench of Meghalaya High Court today, the State government said it has gone ahead with the repair-work of the Shillong – Jowai Road to ensure that the smooth movement of traffic along the vital route is not interrupted.
According to the State government, a substantial part of the work is complete and that the remainder of the repair-work will be finished by December 20.
However, Kerlang Ksoo, a lawyer who filed the public interest litigation (PIL) on the matter, told the High Court that some patchwork has been undertaken by the State government which may not be sufficient or may not last too long.
On this the High Court ordered both the State government and National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to ensure that the long term repair-work, apart from the patchwork undertaken now, is planned out as expeditiously as possible to ensure the free flow of traffic along the route.
The court also directed the State government to file a report, with photographs at the next hearing on February 4, 2022.
“Both the State and NHAI should indicate the long-term plan to improve the condition of the Shillong – Jowai Road when the matter appears next,” the High Court said.
