The Meghalaya High Court has issued directives to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to repair the severely damaged NH-6 highway connecting Jowai and Ratacherra, spanning 102.255 km.
This critical highway serves as a lifeline for Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
The order by Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Judge W. Diengdoh stems from Public Interest Litigation (PIL) No. 11 of 2022, filed by Kynjaimon Amse.
The petitioner highlighted the deplorable condition of NH-6, with photographs showcasing severely damaged portions, rendering vehicle passage impossible.
The court directed NHAI to:
– Repair/Reconstruction Timeline: Repair/Reconstruct the 5 km severely damaged portion within two months.
– Emergency Measures: Implement emergency measures within two weeks to ensure temporary vehicle passage.
– Completion Timeline: Complete repairing the remaining 45 km before the next monsoon, within five months.
– Quality Assurance: Ensure the work done is of high quality to withstand rain and weather conditions.
The High Court further directed the state government to pay the Amicus Curiae, Suraj Panthi, Rs 30,000 by December 10, 2024.
The PIL will be listed again on December 11, 2024.