The Meghalaya High Court has asked the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to file a status report on the actual condition of National Highway-6 especially in the Jowai-Ratacherra stretch in East Jaintia Hills.
The division bench of the court comprising Chief Justice S Vaidyanathan and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh was hearing a PIL filed by Kynjaimon Amse on the matter.
Yesterday, Amse’s lawyer Suraj Panthi told the High Court that the road condition is very bad and due to heavy rains with a possibility of cyclonic storm in the months of June – July, the road will still become worse and it is not safe for the motorist, pedestrian, passers-by and the like.
The High Court again held a hearing of the matter today during which the lawyer appearing for NHAI stated that he would ascertain the correct status of the road and in case of any repair work to be done, the same will be attended to.
“Learned counsel for NHAI is permitted to file a status report on or before the next date of hearing,” the High Court said in its order today.
The work for repair of the Jowai-Ratacherra section of NH-6 (102.225 km) is being carried out by two contractors Purbanchal Buildtech Pvt Ltd and Dhar Constructions Company.
Meanwhile, it was reported that yesterday the NHAI started to fill up the potholes on the NH-6 with gravel stones. The work of filling up the potholes is also continuing.
It may be mentioned that residents of East Jaiñtia Hills have launched an indefinite blockade of NH-6 since June 19 in protest against the pathetic conditions of the highway.
Led by the Joint Action Committee, villagers of Tongseng, Kuliang, Pyrtakuna, Umkiang, Donaskur, Donaumbluh, Ratacherra, Malidor villages took part to disallow any movement along the national highway that connects Assam, Mizoram and Tripura.
The crucial lifeline has suffered extensive damage due to years of neglect. The rainy seasons have exacerbated the situation, reducing large sections to muddy, impassable stretches.
This is the fourth time that residents of Narpuh Elaka have come out in huge numbers to protest against the dilapidated national highway.
