Meghalaya One Of The Wettest Places In World, Rain No Excuse To Justify Poor Road Conditions: High Court

The Meghalaya High Court on Monday expressed displeasure at the State government for coming up with rain as an excuse to justify their failure in maintaining roads. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W Diengdoh remarked,

"It is a matter of concern that despite it being well known that Meghalaya is one of the wettest places in the world, the same excuse of rain is given by the State or other authorities to justify the poor conditions of some of the roads."

The bench was considering the issue of potholes on Assam-Meghalaya-Phulbari-Tawang (AMPT) road, which is a crucial project in light of the upcoming trading hub at Phulbari. It said that AMPT road has to be kept in "top condition" since it will soon have to endure much greater traffic. In this regard it directed the State PWD (Roads) to consider complete overhauling of the road instead of spending over and over again for patch work.

"The State PWD (Roads) should consult with NHAI or its arm, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, and, possibly, seek funds from the North Eastern Council for the strengthening, widening and year-round maintenance of the AMPT Road as a part of the extension of the Dhubri to Phulbari flyover. This does not imply that the outstanding work or the patch work that is immediately required should be ignored," it added.

Court has also sought a report on the measures taken, including how the road should be some four or five years from the day.

The matter is now listed on August 21, 2023.

Case Title: A.H. Hazarika vs State of Meghalaya & ors

Click Here To Read/Download Order