Chümoukedima, August 1 (MExN): The Naga Tribal Union Chümoukedima Town (NTUCT) has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench against the NHIDCL in matter concerning the National Highway-29 between Chathe River bridge junction (Patkai Bridge Junction) up to New Chümoukedima.
Informing of the PIL, the Union informed in a press release that it was left with “no other option” but to file the PIL on July 31 after failing to observe any sign of tangible steps taken by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) for safety and security measures of the commuters on the stretch.
According to the NTUCT, despite repeated appeals and pleas through democratic means by several civil societies to the State Government and the NHIDCL for safety and security measures along NH-29 particularly at Chathe River bridge-New Chümoukedima stretch, the responsible agency (NHIDCL) has been “simply justifying their callous misdeeds by putting flimsy reasons and excuses.”
The NTUCT had taken the lead in pointing out several loopholes committed by the NHIDCL since day one, however the latter remained adamant without paying any heed to our appeals, the Union stated.
Hence, there was no other option left except to seek legal help in order to take them to task, hence, a legal notice was served to the State Government and NHIDCL respectively on March 23, 2023, urging them to take cognisance of the matter seriously, it maintained.
However, the recipients have “deliberately ignored to reciprocate,” added the NTUCT in a release issued by its President Lhousito Khro.
The consequences, the union asserted, were the loss of two lives, some serious injuries as well as damages to vehicles due to sudden rock slides on July 4, followed by immense inconveniences thereafter by preventing the daily travellers to pass through.
Without any tangible steps by the responsible agency thereafter, the NTUCT filed the PIL, it said.
As per the union, the matter was successfully registered and the High Court will take up the matter to its logical conclusion.
“We have full faith that justice will be delivered sooner than later. We appeal to the general public to please render their full support and cooperation,” it added.
Entries listed in the HC Kohima Bench informed that the case was registered on August 1, with the 10 respondents including the Union of India, National Highway Authority of India, NHIDCL, State of Nagaland and Contractor (M/S Ramky-ECI-JV). The matter is listed before the Division Bench of the Court.
