The Gauhati High Court has expressed concern over the deplorable condition of National Highway 415 (NH-415) between Banderdewa and Itanagar.
In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Vijay Jamoh and Doge Lona, the Itanagar Division Bench of Justice Kalyan Rai Surana and Justice Kardak Ete addressed the poor road conditions and lack of progress in construction.
The petitioners’ counsel, Dicky Panging, highlighted the slow construction of a flyover between Barapani Bridge and A-Sector, Naharlagun, with only 11 out of 147 pillars completed.
The High Court questioned how the National Highway Authority of India or the State PWD (NH Division) could complete the project by December 2024.
The Bench also criticized the respondents for failing to submit a status report, ordering them to provide detailed progress reports, timelines, and milestones by the next hearing on October 28. Respondents include the State of Arunachal Pradesh, government officials, and contractors.
The Court also directed the authorities to ensure pedestrian safety by constructing footpaths alongside the road. Contractors were asked by the High Court to explain the lack of progress and underutilization of machinery and equipment.
The court warned that failure to comply with its orders might result in personal appearances by concerned officials and imposed a Rs. 5,000 cost on respondents for delaying the submission of the status report.