The construction of the four-lane highway from Umshyrpi to Upper Shillong is set to be delayed as the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism located at Lai Mer is unwilling to part with any of its land.
This was revealed during the hearing of a PIL filed by city-based lawyer Kaustav Paul in the division bench of the Meghalaya High Court today.
The Shillong to Dawki road under Japanese funding is divided in five packages. The stretch from Umshyrpi to Upper Shillong falls under Package I of the project.
During the hearing, a status report filed by the State government through its Joint Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department on July 10 stated that the work for the first package has not yet been allotted after the previous contractor abandoned the project.
The status report also said that even if a new contractor were to be appointed, the work would not be able to start as the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism is unwilling to part with any land.
Further, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) which is executing the road project is of the opinion that it is not possible to change the alignment at this stage to avoid any land being taken from the observatory of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism.
According to NHIDCL, till the IIG relents, work under Package I cannot be undertaken seriously.
As far as the other packages are concerned, the status report revealed that there are many other problems with the land owners.
Though some work in the undisputed areas has been carried on, it does not appear that any of the packages is ready for work being taken up or the requisite work being delivered.
In view of the land problem related to the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, the High Court in its order today, stopped further felling of trees for the purpose of Package I of the road project till such time that the work under the package is awarded to a contractor and the contractor is able to take up the construction unimpeded, including near the observatory of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism.
“The matter will appear four weeks hence for a further report to be filed,” the High Court said while listing the matter for hearing on July 31.
