The Meghalaya high court on February 24 asked the authorities concerned to indicate the timelines for completion of the two important roads for easing the traffic congestion in Shillong and neighbouring areas.
The two roads include Shillong-Western Bypass and Shillong-Diengpasoh Road.
“It is necessary that all authorities put their heads together and indicate the timelines for completion with milestones, if possible,” said the division bench in its order passed while hearing a PIL filed by the High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association.
The court said the proverbial buck is passed by the state first to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
It said it appears that both NHAI and NHIDCL have washed their hands off in respect of the acquisition of land, though the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1956 contains a mechanism for the purpose of acquisition of land, settlement of disputes and payment of compensation – complete with the arbitration.
The state has informed that the process of acquisition has been initiated in respect of the Shillong Western Bypass, though it is submitted on behalf of the petitioner that there is no detailed project report prepared for the purpose.
It is also the submission of the state that in respect of the Shillong-Diengpasoh Road, a third of the construction has already been completed.
Both the roads are crucial to relieve Shillong and the neighbouring areas of the everyday congestion and the resultant toxic fumes, it said.
