Vehicle passes through the dilapidated portion of road along NH- 29 Kohima- Jessami in North Kikruma area on September 25. (Morung File Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 30
The Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, has found the progress of the construction of Chakhabama–Kikrüma stretch of NH-29 Kohima–Jessami Road (Package-II) “unsatisfactory” and directed the Authority Engineer to file a comprehensive report explaining the reasons for the delay.
A Division Bench comprising Justice N Unni Krishnan Nair and Justice Nchumbemo Mozhui passed the order on September 30 while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Chakhesang Public Organisation and another petitioner. The Court had earlier, in August, sought a status report from NHIDCL on the project.
According to the Court order, M/s Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt Ltd was allotted the work on October 10, 2023, with the contract agreement signed on December 21, 2023. The appointed date was January 5, 2024, and the work was to be completed within 24 months.
However, as per the submission made before the Court on September 9, the physical progress of the 21.90-km Package-II stretch stood at 44.42%, with financial progress at 43.63%.
By September 30, the status report placed before the Court showed little change in physical progress, at 45.11%, while financial progress remained unchanged.
“We find that the progress of the work is not satisfactory,” the Bench observed, while orally indicating that costs could be imposed.
Meanwhile, the Court noted that the counsel for Ratna Infrastructure cited several issues affecting the work, which were detailed in an affidavit filed before the Court on September 30.
Accordingly, to ascertain the actual reasons for the delay, the Bench directed the Authority Engineer appointed by the respondent authorities to consider the contractor’s submissions and file a comprehensive affidavit.
Although not a party to the case, the Authority Engineer has been directed to file the affidavit by November 13 and remain personally present before the Court on November 18 to assist in the disposal of the public interest litigation concerning the project.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 18.
The latest order comes amid continuing concerns over delays in the project and complaints over its execution and road condition.
On September 25, the Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) sealed the contractor’s base camp at North Kikrüma and demanded termination of the contract and fresh tendering, alleging continued delay and non-compliance.
The latest order comes amid mounting public pressure over delays in the project.
On September 25, the Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) sealed the base camp of contractor at North Kikrüma, demanding termination of the contractor and fresh tendering within 72 working hours. After the District Administration removed the seal, the CSU re-sealed the camp (https://morungexpress.com/nh-29-delay-csu-seals-contractors-camp-gives-72-hr-ultimatum-for-fresh-tendering) the following day, reiterating its demand over the delayed execution of the NH-29 Package-II project.
