The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has assured the Meghalaya High Court that the entire improvement and strengthening work of the national highway (NH-6) between Jowai and Ratacherra would be completed within two months.
A division bench of Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh of the Meghalaya High Court said overall it was satisfied with the progress made by NHAI and adjourned the PIL till June 18 for the authority to file a completion report.
According to the status report submitted by the NHAI to the court, the strengthening and improvement work commenced on March 22, 2024. It entrusted Purvanchal Buildtech for the 51 km (Jowai to Wahiajer) work, of which 67 per cent of the work has been completed. The 51.255 km from Wahiajer to Ratacherra entrusted to the Dhar Construction Company is 73 per cent complete, the NHAI said.
Giving a detailed description of the work being carried out accompanied by photographs to the court, the NHAI also indicated that heavy flow of traffic is an impediment but acknowledged the cooperation of the district administration in regulating traffic
Amicus Curiae Suraj Panthi told the court that large potholes and exposed rods from small bridges around Umkiang Forest area and Dona road have not been addressed.
On this, S Sengupta, the lawyer appearing for NHAI, assured the court that in two months the problems would be redressed and the work would be over.
