The Meghalaya High Court has directed the State government to ensure that the Agia – Medhipara – Phulbari – Tura (AMPT) Road has to be in top condition without excuses such as rain being cited to explain away its pitiable condition.
During a hearing on the PIL filed by lawyer A H Hazarika today, the division bench of the High Court said that AMPT Road is an arterial road of great importance already and with the bridge across the Brahmaputra from Dhubri to Phulbari scheduled to be completed in the next three or four years, Phulbari will develop as a major trading hub and roads to and from Phulbari will have to endure much greater traffic than can be imagined at present.
“For such a purpose, the AMPT Road has to be in top condition without excuses such as rain being cited to explain away its pitiable condition. This matter has lingered for a considerable period and though some progress was made on some stretches, it does not appear that the work undertaken has any lasting value. The State PWD (Roads) would do well to look into the matter and instead of spending over and over again for patch work or repair work, undertake a complete overhauling of the road, whether or not in conjunction with the National Highways Authority of India so that the road can cater to the increased pressure upon the Dhubri to Phulbari bridge over the Brahmaputra being completed,” the High Court said.
The court also asked the State PWD (Roads) to consult with NHAI or its arm, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and seek funds from the North Eastern Council for the strengthening, widening and year-round maintenance of the AMPT Road as a part of the extension of the Dhubri to Phulbari flyover.
“This does not imply that the outstanding work or the patch work that is immediately required should be ignored. It is a matter of concern that despite it being well known that Meghalaya is one of the wettest places in the world, the same excuse of rain is given by the State or other authorities to justify the poor conditions of some of the roads. Indeed, there are several other roads in the State which can endure the monsoon and remain unaffected by the heavy rains,” the High Court said.
“Since the AMPT Road is one of the key roads linking the western part of the State to the rest of the State and even other parts of the country, it requires special attention and it is hoped that the State PWD (Roads) will deal with the matter with the requisite seriousness,” the court added while also seeking a report on the measures taken, including how the road should be some four or five years from today.
While listing the matter for hearing on August 21, the High Court said that in the meantime, the potholes along the stretches should be filled up temporarily so as to make the road more accessible to lesser vehicles.
