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Judgment
The plea in the present petition is for the construction of a road between Chiminmingre and Kakwa Duragre.
The Chief Engineer of PWD (Roads) has recently forwarded a proposal for the construction, including metaling and blacktopping, of a road from Jakopgre to Kakwa Duragre of estimated length of 7.620 km. The State says that the matter is under consideration and it is possible that administrative approval may be accorded expeditiously if the proposal is found to be in order.
If the proposal comes through – and there is no reason why it should not unless the cost estimates are revised – the petitioner’s grievance would have been sufficiently addressed and the needs of the local people around the stretch would be met. The petitioner says that there is already a road in place between Chiminmingre and Jakopgre. Once Jakopgre is connected to Kakwa Duragre, there will be complete access between Chiminmingre and Kakwa Duragre.
Let the matter appear six weeks hence to ascertain whether the administrative approval for construction of the road between Jakopgre to Kakwa Duragre has been granted and the steps, if any, taken for the project to get underway. In the meantime, the State should not neglect to maintain the previously constructed stretch of road between Chiminmingre and Jakopgre.
At the time that the matter was taken up on the last occasion on December 8, 2022, it was noticed that an announcement had been made by the Union Minister for Surface Transport in Guwahati regarding augmentation of funds for construction of roads in the North-Eastern States. The announcements pertained to new highways in the State of Meghalaya. Accordingly, the State was requested to ascertain what highways or what stretches of road would be constructed by the National Highways Authority of India in the State so that the State could concentrate on the other roads and the ancillary roads picking up traffic from and feeding traffic into the national highways in the State. On behalf of the State, a letter dated February 8, 2023 issued by the Public Works Department of the State to Advocate representing the State in this matter has been placed. The letter appends a list of upcoming projects for Meghalaya to be funded by the Union and implemented by the NHAI or the NHIDCL. The details of the projects are set out:
Sr.
No.
Name of Project
Length
(km)
Cost
(Rs.Crore)
Status
1.
Shillong–Western
bypass
38
2205
DPR being
prepared
2.
Dainadubi-Darugre-
Williamnagar
80
4350
DPR under
review
3.
Mawlyngkhung-Mawrynkneng
(Shillong Eastern
bypass),
Mawryngkneng-West Jaintia Hills & Jowai bypass
75
4100
DPR under
review
4.
Paikan-Tura
56
1827
DPR under
progress
5.
Phulbari-Tura
63
740
DPR
under progress
6.
Dudhnoi-Rongjeng- Baghmara-Dalu
150
2400
DPR under progress
Thus, it is evident that the key and more strategic roads are being constructed directly under the aegis of the Union. This should allow more expenditure by the State on the State’s roads and the highways other than those that are being maintained or constructed by the NHAI or its associate NHIDCL. It is hoped that sufficient progress is made in the highways to be funded by the Union. The status pertaining to the construction, maintenance and enhanced facilities should be indicated when the matter appears next six weeks hence. A firm stand on the proposed projects should be indicated on the returnable date.
List on March 24, 2023.