The Meghalaya High Court has said it hoped authorities will finish the work on the road between Borghat and Sonapur as expeditiously as possible while hearing a PIL on the matter.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh heard the plea on the pitiable condition of the unmetalled stretch between Borghat and Sonapur.
From photographs placed by the petitioner, the Bench observed that only tractors or four-wheel drive vehicles adept at tackling hazardous terrain may be able to traverse these stretches in the photographs.
On behalf of the State, a letter issued by the Chief Engineer, PWD (Roads), by way of instructions to Advocate representing the State was placed. The letter revealed that the in-principle clearance for the 39.6 km stretch to be metalled has been granted by the North Eastern Council under the North East Road Sector Development Scheme. The letter also speaks of an Empowered InterMinisterial Committee having met on July 7, 2021 when it was agreed that the State government would fund the balance amount of the project beyond the available outlay of Rs 62.02 crore.
The Court directed the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to obtain funds and commence the work of metalling the said stretch of nearly 40 km, particularly since the internal communication between places on the route have been seriously impeded because of several stretches being non-motorable.
The State has also relied on some photographs to indicate the preliminary strengthening of the road by filling up the potholes and the uneven parts with stone-chips.
“It is hoped that the matter will receive the attention of all concerned so that the concrete of a metalled road along the stretch of nearly 40 km is concluded as expeditiously as possible. Let the matter now appear towards the middle of February, 2022. List on February 18, 2022,” the order reads.