SHILLONG, March 25: The Shillong Western Bypass and the Shillong-Diengpasoh Road can ease the state capital and its adjoining areas of traffic congestion and provide relief from toxic fumes, a division Bench of the High Court of Meghalaya has observed.
Hearing a PIL on Thursday, the division bench said the proverbial buck is passed by the state first to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and then to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
“The matter pertains to the construction of two key roads in the state under the aegis of the NHAI and the NHIDCL. It appears that both NHAI and NHIDCL have washed their hands off in respect of the acquisition of land, though the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1956, contains a mechanism for the purpose of acquisition of land, settlement of disputes and payment of compensation – complete with arbitration,” the order said.
The state had submitted that the process of acquisition has been initiated in respect of the Shillong Western Bypass, although the petitioner – the Meghalaya High Court Bar Association – said there is no detailed project report prepared for the purpose.
The state also submitted that a third of the construction of the Shillong-Diengpasoh Road has been completed.
The court said both the roads are crucial for relieving Shillong and its neighbouring areas of the everyday congestion and the resultant toxic fumes. “It is necessary that all authorities put their heads together and indicate the timelines for completion with milestones, if possible,” its order said.
“A dispute has arisen as to whether, by way of a temporary measure, a Bailey bridge has been put up alongside the now-decrepit Dwar Ksuid bridge. There is no dispute that the old bridge can no longer bear the load of heavy vehicles,” the order said.
The NHAI submitted that the contract for the construction of a new bridge is about to be awarded as the tender process has been completed and the contractor will be given a year’s time to complete the construction of the new 270-metre RCC bridge.
The petitioner submitted that no Bailey bridge or temporary arrangement has been put in place despite the need for not letting heavy vehicles pass through Shillong. The NHAI said a Bailey bridge is in place alongside the old one and toll is collected from vehicles for using the Bailey bridge.
“There is no doubt that the report sought from the state will touch upon this aspect of the matter. However, since a categorical statement has been made on behalf of NHAI that the Bailey bridge is in place and is operational and the same is being used by vehicles, including trucks that would otherwise have used the broken bridge, leave is given to the petitioner to apply even before the adjourned date, if inquiries reveal otherwise. In the event it is discovered that such Bailey bridge is not in place or that vehicular movement is severely restricted or not possible along the relevant stretch, officials of all three bodies should meet and a common affidavit should be filed through the state indicating the progress and timeline for the temporary arrangement when the matter appears four weeks hence,” the order said.