The Sikkim High Court addressed a pressing public interest litigation (PIL) concerning the deplorable condition of roads within Sikkim, particularly those under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (PWD) authorities of West Bengal.
On October 29, 2024, Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder and Judge Meenakshi Madan Rai ordered the concerned PWD authorities to submit a report regarding the maintenance and repair of roads between Rangpo and Sevoke Bazar, West Bengal.
The court’s attention was drawn to the poor condition of several roads in Sikkim, including:
– Pangthang-Samdong-Tumin-Makha-Singtam
– Singtam-West Pendam-Duga-Rangpo
– Ranipool-Pakyong-Rorathang-Rongli
– Mangan-Dzongu
– Mangan-Chungthang and beyond
The Additional Advocate General was instructed to inform the court about the progress of repairs and maintenance on these roads by the next hearing date, December 12, 2024.
The court warned that if the pace of repairs does not improve, it will hold the concerned engineers and staff accountable and may direct disciplinary proceedings against them.