SHILLONG, Feb 10: The High Court of Meghalaya on Friday observed that the key and more strategic roads in the state are being constructed directly under the aegis of the Centre.
“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,” the Court said, while hoping that sufficient progress is made in the highways to be funded by the Union.
The High Court was hearing a petition for the construction of a road between Chiminmingre and Kakwa Duragre.
The High Court has also said that when the matter appears again for hearing in six weeks’ time, the status pertaining to the construction, maintenance and enhanced facilities should be indicated while a firm stand on the proposed projects should be indicated on the returnable date.
It may be mentioned that the Chief Engineer of PWD (Roads) had recently forwarded a proposal for the construction, including metaling and blacktopping, of a road from Jakopgre to Kakwa Duragre of an estimated length of 7.620 km.
The High Court also suggested that the state government should not neglect to maintain the previously constructed stretch of road between Chiminmingre and Jakopgre.
“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,” the High Court said.
