SHILLONG, Nov 3: The state government on Thursday submitted before the High Court of Meghalaya that the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong has recommended measures to ease the burgeoning traffic congestion in the city and the administration is examining the same.
The state sought time to implement the suggestions whether in their totality or in such modified form as may be convenient or deemed appropriate.
The court hoped that some work is undertaken at the ground level so that the congestion is eased, particularly now that the season of good cheer is round the corner.
Hearing another PIL on the condition of roads, the court requested the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to ensure that more funds are allotted for the creation, maintenance and upkeep of roads in the state, whether by taking over state highways as a part of the national highways network as has been done elsewhere in the country or by building new roads to ensure greater connectivity in the hilly terrain.
During the hearing, the NHAI said that work to repair the damages on national Highway 6 caused during the monsoon season would be completed by December 15, 2022 and not by November 15, 2022 as erroneously submitted earlier.
The court took cognizance of the state’s submission that a report has been prepared but nothing significant has been indicated in the report. The state sought more time from the court to indicate a more concrete roadmap. “While it is appreciated that funds may not be available to have the ideal road connectivity, yet the state must strive to complete the work, including the maintenance work, within a time frame,” the court said while adding that a bar-chart may be prepared indicating the areas where the work would be taken up or completed and other areas where maintenance work would be undertaken, whether on a regular or periodic basis.
“There is no doubt that the quantum of money allocated for roads has to be ascertained after assessing the requirements on several other important fronts, including healthcare, education and the like. Yet, it cannot be ignored that access to adequate roads is a basic right that has to be reached to the citizens in the state,” the court added.
