Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 23
The Contractor of the ongoing National Highway (NH)-2 road construction project from Kohima-Mao Gate, on February 23, reaffirmed its commitment to finish the work by March 31, the timeline given earlier to the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench.
Though challenging, all efforts would be given to complete the work as per timeline set i.e. March 31,
the Contractor (Fortune Groups) submitted to the Division Bench of Division Bench of Justice Songkhupchung Serto and Justice Kakheto Sema.
The Bench was the hearing of suo moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with regard to the project for the second consecutive day on Thursday.
As being queried by the Bench on possibility of completion given the progress achieved so far, the Authority Engineer of the project also submitted that though practically challenging, technically it would be possible.
In view of the submissions, the Bench directed the Contractor to finish the work by March31.
Meanwhile, as directed by the Bench on February 22, the Contractor and the Authority Engineer also submitted separate affidavits listing details of the work progress so far.
However, the affidavits indicated a daunting task ahead to complete the work.
As per the Contractor, only 25.01% of the total work has been completed while the Authority Engineer’s affidavit informed that just over 23% has been finished.
After hearing both the parties, the Bench noted that the difference appears to have arisen as the Contractor account was as per “works completed on the ground” while the Authority Engineer’s assessment included only those that are ‘fully completed.’
However, with the Contractor asserting to finish the work as per earlier timeline, the Bench also directed the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation and the Authority Engineer to ‘supervise the work in such a way that the Contractor completes the work in the timeline given.’
Regarding the issue of pending bills raised by the Contractor, the Authority Engineer stated that they would be cleared as soon as the required documents are submitted by the former.
Listing the matter for hearing again on March 9, the Bench also directed both parties – the Contractor and the Authority Engineer to file separate affidavit showing the work progress, on or before the scheduled dated.
