The issue of Dwar Ksuid bridge came up during hearing of the public interest litigation (PIL) in the Meghalaya High Court today with the court directing the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and the Meghalaya government to inform about the progress and timeline for completion of the temporary bailey bridge for movement of traffic on this route.
The division bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh was hearing the PIL filed by the High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association on the condition of the bailey bridge alongside the now decrepit Dwar Ksuid bridge in Umroi area of Ri-Bhoi district.
According to the High Court, the old Dwar Ksuid bridge can no longer bear the load of heavy vehicles.
However, the High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association stated that even though it is absolutely necessary to have a bailey bridge in place as a temporary measure so that heavier trucks do not have to pass through Shillong, no bailey bridge or temporary arrangement has yet been put in place at Dwar Ksuid.
To this, the NHAI stated that a bailey bridge is in place alongside the old, broken bridge and that toll is collected by the NHAI from vehicles using the bailey bridge.
“There is no doubt that the report sought from the State will touch upon this aspect of the matter. However, since a categorical statement has been made on behalf of NHAI that the bailey bridge is in place and is operational and the same is being used by vehicles, including trucks that would otherwise have used the broken bridge, leave is given to the petitioner to apply even before the adjourned date, if inquiries reveal otherwise,” the High Court said.
“In the event it is discovered that such bailey bridge is not in place or that vehicular movement is severely restricted or not possible along the relevant stretch, officials of all three bodies should meet and a common affidavit should be filed through the State indicating the progress and timeline for the temporary arrangement when the matter appears four weeks hence,” the High Court added while listing the matter for hearing on March 25.
The NHAI also informed the court that the contract for the construction of a new Dwar Ksuid bridge is about to be awarded as the tender process has been completed and the contractor will be given a year’s time to complete the construction of the new RCC bridge spanning 270 metre.
Meanwhile, during the hearing, the State government blamed the NHAI and NHIDCL regarding the delay of two key roads – Shillong Western By-Pass project and Shillong-Diengpasoh road project.
However, both NHAI and NHIDCL washed their hands off in respect of the acquisition of land, though the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1956 contains a mechanism for the purpose of acquisition of land, settlement of disputes and payment of compensation – complete with arbitration.
The State government however stated that the process of land acquisition has been initiated in respect of the Shillong Western By-Pass.
The petitioner on the other hand told the court that there is no detailed project report prepared for the purpose.
As far as the Shillong-Diengpasoh road project is concerned, the State government informed the High Court that a third of the construction work of the road has already been completed.
“Both the roads are crucial to relieve Shillong and the neighbouring areas of the everyday congestion and the resultant toxic fumes. It is necessary that all authorities put their heads together and indicate the timelines for completion with milestones, if possible,” the High Court said.
