The Meghalaya High Court has directed the State government to ensure that roads connecting, at least, the district headquarters to sub-divisional towns are put in place in the State, beginning with the areas in Garo Hills where such roads are lacking.
The division bench of the High Court passed the order on the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by local lawyer A H Hazarika regarding the dilapidated condition of the AMPT road between Medhipara to Garobadha.
During today’s hearing, an affidavit was filed by the PWD Secretary regarding steps taken for improvement of road condition in Garo Hills. It is also submitted on behalf of the State government that some funds have been sanctioned for roads needing repair.
However, Hazarika who appeared in person told the High Court that several pages of the PWD affidavit have been wasted without indicating any firm date for the construction of the roads connecting some of the district headquarters to the sub-divisional towns.
Slamming the State government over the lack of road connectivity in the rural areas, the High Court said, “It is equally not acceptable that in the year 2021, 75 years after Independence, the district headquarters would not be linked to sub-divisional towns by metalled roads whether in the State or anywhere else in the country. The present matter pertains to the construction of such roads and not any repair work. It is imperative that rudimentary roads be set up connecting the district headquarters to sub- divisional towns all over the State, whether by seeking special funds for such purpose from the North Eastern Council or under any other Central scheme may be in existence.”
The court also agreed with the complaints by Hazarika that the conditions in certain areas of Garo Hills are so bad that emergency vehicles and even police personnel may not be able to reach the sub-divisional towns within reasonable time in the event of any emergency or a large-scale problem.
“The State will indicate the actual measures taken on the ground to ensure that such roads connecting, at least, the district headquarters to sub-divisional towns are put in place, beginning with the areas where such facilities are lacking in the Garo hills as complained of in the petition,” the High Court said.
Stating that the matter will appear four weeks hence for the State to file a further affidavit, the High Court said that this time the affidavit should indicate the actual funds allotted and steps taken for commencement of the work for construction of the relevant roads.
“All of the construction need not be taken together, if there is any shortage of funds, but the work must begin as expeditiously as possible,” the court said while listing the matter for hearing on May 27.
