National Highway-2 construction: High Court orders contractor to appear in person

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 12 (EMN): Taking serious note of the lack of improvement of the road condition along National Highway-2, between Kohima and Mao, the Kohima bench of Gauhati High Court on Wednesday directed the contractor to appear before the court in person.

Hearing a suo moto public interest litigation on the matter, Justices Songkhupchung Serto and LS Jamir, summoned the contractor, M/S Fortune Groups, before the court on Oct. 7.

Appearing for the respondent, Counsel Joshua Sheqi on Wednesday submitted before the court that the contractor has purchased new equipment in order to expedite the progress of the work.

“However, we see no improvement on the condition of the road along the stretch of the road covered by the contract. In that view of the matter, the Contractor is directed to appear before this Court in person on 17.10.2022 at 10.30 am sharp”, the court ordered.

It also directed the additional AG to take instructions as to whether the issue with the landowners has been settled with regard to the shoulder-cutting of the roads as directed by the court earlier.

When the matter was taken up for hearing on Wednesday, the Additional AG, Nagaland, produced a letter written by the Revenue Officer, Kohima, Nagaland, which was noted by the court.

With regard to the Kohima-Mao road project, “there are no hindrances for road repair and maintenance work along NH-39 (New NH-02) Kohima-Mao Road by any village, groups, organisation or individuals”, the letter stated.

The villagers raised some concerns pertaining to construction of new culverts on grounds that water drained from the new culverts would damage irrigation canals and paddy fields downstream, it added.

The High Court also noted the letter written by the SDO (C), Jakhama to the deputy commissioner of Kohima, on Sep. 30, stating there was a pending issue relating to fresh land excavation works at chainage 204-63, Viswema, carried out for construction of a new culvert.

“The work has been halted due to concerns raised by the villagers fearing the release of water from the newly excavated culvert could damage paddy fields and irrigation canals downstream. The matter has been endorsed to the Village Council, Viswema, for resolution of the issue”, the letter read.

Along with its representatives from the Southern Angami Youth Organisation and the project manager, Fortune Group, carried out inspection along the entire stretch of the highway from Phesama and Khuzama on Sep. 22 for review and inspection of the ongoing works.

 “Due to slow progress of the work on the ground, it was impressed upon the project manager, Fortune Group, the need to expedite works by roping in additional machinery and manpower”, it added.

It may be mentioned that the state government has recently issued notification prohibiting movement of heavy vehicles beyond three axles along the national highway from Dimapur-Khuzama.

The matter has been listed for hearing on Oct 17.

High Court summons directors of M/s Oasis Techno Construction Limited

In a separate order, the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench on Wednesday ordered the three directors of M/s Oasis Techno Construction Limited, that abandoned package-III (14.210 km) of the four-lane road between Kohima and Dimapur, to be present before the court on Oct. 27.

It may be recalled that the court in its last order on Sep. 28, directed the three directors to be present at Wednesday’s hearing to pass “appropriate orders”.

Counsels for the respondent for package- III, submitted that the three directors of M/s Oasis Techno

Construction Limited could not appear before the Court on Wednesday “due to health reasons”.

The counsel further made a proposal to have a deliberation with the authorities of the NHIDCL to  which the court accepted “in the interest of the public”.

The court also directed the NHIDCL to take initiative for the deliberation.

“As far as package- III of the four-lane road between Kohima and Dimapur is concerned, it appears that not much progress has been made due to the frequent rain”, the court observed.

Further, the newly appointed Contractor, M/s T Tachu and Co, is expected to continue their works till new arrangements are made.

In respect of Package- I and II, the court directed the contractor (M/s Ramky-ECI JV) to ensure that the work is completed within the time frame already given by the court, that is Nov. 30, 2022.

The matter is listed again for Oct. 27.