The Meghalaya High Court has directed the State government to conduct a survey of the Majai-Umdud to Zero point road to find whether it is feasible for repairs so that trade and commerce will not be affected.
However, the Court stated that no orders are necessary at this stage.
The High Court bench of Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew was hearing a miscellaneous case in writ petition civil, filed by Syiem of Hima Sohra Freeman Sing Syiem to allow the collection of customary toll from the trucks plying on the road in the export of limestone.
Senior counsel SP Mahanta submitted that due to the order dated 10.05.2024, issued by the District Magistrate, under Section 144 CrPC, all toll collections have since been stopped as there are no orders presently in operation, allowing the Syiem of Sohra to collect the customary toll, which he maintains is a customary right.
K.Paul, learned Senior counsel with K. Decruse, counsel on behalf of the writ petitioner/Opposite Party and ND Chullai, Additional Advocate General with ZE Nongkynrih, General Advocate on behalf of the State respondents have submitted that the situation as it pertains today is not conducive, inasmuch as, on earlier occasion under orders of this Court, the Syiem of Sohra had been permitted to collect the toll, there was total mismanagement and defalcation of revenue.
It was further submitted by the senior counsels that the issue in question before this Court stems from the control, identity, management and nature of the road in question.
The next hearing has been fixed for February 7, 2025.
