Shillong, Mar 19: The Meghalaya High Court has expressed displeasure with the prolonged delay in the repair and restoration of the Jowai-Ratacherra road (NH-6) undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) pending since 2022.
During a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) hearing today, the court noted that the NHAI had made “incorrect” statements that the strengthening and improvement work for the entire Jowai-Ratacherra section has been completed by both the contractors.
Based on the affidavit filed by NHAI Project Director Anand Singh Chauhan on February 23, 2026, Amicus Curiae S. Panthi and legal counsel for the NHAI, S. Sengupta had visited the entire stretch of the NH-6 to verify the claims made by Chauhan.
However, according to the Amicus Curiae potholes were found in multiple sections of the road, particularly around Byndihati, Tongseng and near the petrol pump in Ratacherra.
The report pointed out that the guard walls, drain erected in most of the stretches, slabs are either blocked or not in order leading to water logging in some of the stretches.
“Therefore, prima facie it appears that the statement made by Mr. Chauhan in the additional affidavit dated 23rd February, 2026 is incorrect,” a division bench of Chief Justice, Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh said.
“Almost four years have lapsed and yet the road is not completely done as stated in the affidavit,” the court observed.
The court directed the NHAI Project Director to remain present in court tomorrow and allowed the Amicus Curiae to place the incorrect statements made by the NHAI.
