By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 21: The High Court of Meghalaya on Monday said the excuse of rains given by officials to justify the poor condition of roads is not acceptable.
The court was hearing a PIL relating to bad condition of a road in Tura.
A report was filed by the Executive Engineer, PWD (Roads), Tura indicating the present status of the Agia– Medhipara– Phulbari– Tura (AMPT) Road.
It was mentioned in the report that three contractors have been engaged for the portion from 33 km to 41 km of the road and its maintenance. However, the petitioner, who is affected by the poor condition of the road, said the maintenance work was neither timely nor regular.
“Generally speaking, the condition of roads in the State is not up to the mark and the standard excuse is that because of the heavy rains, huge maintenance costs are incurred and which is why, maintenance works remain suspended during the period of heavy rains,” a division bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice B Bhattacharjee said in an order.
“It is not acceptable that the excuse of rains is proffered to justify the poor condition of roads,” the order further said.
The court said in several orders, it had stated that since Meghalaya is one of the wettest places on earth, extra care has to be taken while building roads and the mix of substance has to be so chosen, taking into account the heavy rains that the roads will require to endure.
“It is hoped that the PWD (Roads) sits up and takes notice and keeps all the roads in good repair so as to enable free flow of traffic even during the monsoons,” the court said.