The Gauhati High Court recently in view of the deteriorated road conditions due to the incessant rain, has requested the Amicus Curiae to inspect the same with the Authority Engineer and the contractor as per their convenience so that we may be able to work out a more practical approach of the on-going project construction of National Highway No. 2 between Dimapur and Imphal.
The Kohima Bench of Justice Songkhupchung Serto and Justice Kakheto Sema heard a Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the issue of incompletion of the National Highway 02.
On May 18 , it is submitted by the Authority Engineer that the contractor has submitted his work-program as per our direction, and after examining the same, he will submit the final work-program along with the time- lines for completion of the project. He also submitted that to complete the construction from sub-grade to BC on the 19km stretch of the National Highway- 39, it would take about 7-8 months.
Regarding the land acquisition, the Senior Additional AG prays for some time to file an affidavit showing the status of the progress .
“In view of the incessant rain, the road condition has deteriorated, therefore, we request the learned Amicus Curiae to inspect the same with the Authority Engineer and the contractor as per their convenience so that we may be able to work out a more practical approach of the on-going project”, the order reads.
The Matter is listed on 25.05.2022 for further hearing.
It is Pertinent to note that the High Court on March 02 , took Suo Moto cognizance of the matter. The Court observed that :-
“As one travels on the National Highway No. 2 between Dimapur and Imphal, one wonders as to whether this is a real National Highway which is also suppose to be Trans Asia highway connecting India with other South Asian countries as envisage in the Look East Policy, which has been renamed as Act East Policy. This highway is meant to play an important role when it comes to connectivity and trade and commerce not only for this part of the country but for the whole country. But nothing much has happened on this highway except the ongoing 4 lane construction between Dimapur and Kohima and repairing of the existing 2 lanes on the Manipur side though 15 to 20 years has passed by since the policy was announced. In fact, between Kohima to Mao i.e Manipur border town, the condition of the highway has gone from bad to worse therefore, commuters have to literally negotiate between potholes which are big and deep making it very difficult to travel. For the last 6 years, this stretch of the highway has not been maintained and in fact nothing much has been done to make it even travel worthy. It looks as if there is nobody responsible for it. It cannot be worse than this. As such, unless it is immediately repaired, before the coming monsoon, the only highway that connects 5 to 6 million people of the State of Manipur and Nagaland and the so called National Highway/Trans Asia highway will have to be closed due to its deplorable condition.
Good roads does not only bring development at faster pace but also brings people together which helps in building and strengthening national integration and besides, it also saves vehicles from wear and tears, save time, fuel and health of the people but this simple truths seems to have missed consideration of the people who are in charge of the same. We are proud as Indians that we have highways which are as good as in other advanced countries and wherein even war planes can land and take off. We wish that at least some attention is given to other National Highways like the National Highway No.2 also because that will make a difference in the life of people in the North East India. A number of Trans Asia motor rallies have been held along this National Highway, and we must not forget that this is the first highway people of South Asian countries will see as they enter India from the East. Therefore, it is a matter of prestige also for our country, to maintain this Highway.
The price of commodities in the State of Manipur and Nagaland are much higher than that of Guwahati because the transporters charged exorbitant transportation charges and one of the reasons for doing so is because of the poor condition of this Highway. The importance this highway holds in the day-to day life of 5 to 6 million people seems to have escaped the view or attention of people who are in charge is the general feeling of the people who travel on it.”