The Gauhati High Court’s Kohima Bench has issued an order directing the National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to carry out safety work on the Dimapur-Kohima Road Project in Nagaland, including slope protection, removal of overhanging rocks, and submission of detailed reports.
This case, a Public Interest Litigation (Suo Motu) initiated in 2019, addresses infrastructure development issues and safety concerns along the Dimapur-Kohima Road.
The petitioners had sought relief, citing inadequate infrastructure and safety hazards. The respondents, include the Union of India, NHIDCL, and the Government of Nagaland.
To address these concerns, the bench of Justice Soumitra Saikia and Justice Kaushik Goswami directed NHIDCL to undertake the essential measures to assure safety of the project.
An NHIDCL affidavit outlined the works undertaken, which include constructing breast walls, gabion walls, and retaining walls, installing rock netting/barriers, removing overhang rocks, and engaging consultants for permanent slope protection.
The Court further ordered NHIDCL to file affidavits detailing work progress, and summoned the Executive Director, NHIDCL, Nagaland, and Respondent No. 17’s representative to appear in Court.
The matter has been listed for November 27, 2024.