Shillong, July 11: The Meghalaya High Court on Tuesday directed that felling of trees should not be carried out till work under package-I of the Shillong-Dawki Road project is awarded to a contractor.
“In such view of the matter, the further felling of trees for the purpose of package-I should not be carried out till such time that the work under package-I is awarded to a contractor and the contractor is able to take up the construction unimpeded, including near the observatory of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism,” the Division Bench said in its order after hearing a PIL.
The order said the status report filed by the State through the Joint Secretary in-charge Public Works (R&B) Department had stated that the technical evaluation of bids is under process and the work for the first package has not yet been allotted after the previous contractor abandoned the project.
It also pointed out the unwillingness of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism to part with any land for implementation of the package-I of the project.
“Even if the contractor were to be appointed, it is evident that the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism is unwilling to part with any land and the National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) is of the opinion that it is not possible to change the alignment at this stage to avoid any land being taken from the observatory of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism.
Thus, in effect, even if the contractor were to be appointed, till the IIG relents, work under package-I cannot be undertaken seriously,” it observed.
“As far as the other packages are concerned, there are many other problems with the landowners and though some work in the undisputed areas has been carried on, it does not appear that any of the packages is ready for work being taken up or the requisite work being delivered,” the order further observed.
Meanwhile, the bench has directed the State to file a report within four weeks.
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