90% of civil works on NH-29 under PWD completed, AAG Nagaland tells High Court

October 3, 2024 2 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 3

The Additional Advocate General (AAG) of Nagaland informed the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench (GHCKB) that 90% of the civil work on National Highway-29, under the supervision of the Public Works Department (PWD), has been completed.

In an affidavit submitted on September 30, the AAG also mentioned that the diversion of water flow into the landslide area remains incomplete due to the unavailability of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes in the market. These pipes have been ordered from Guwahati and are expected to arrive by October 4.

The affidavit also informed that the Committee formed to undertake the work has assured that the remaining work will be completed by October 18, as per the order issued by the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Manish Choudhury on October 1.

The Court is currently hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated Suo Motu in 2019 after it was brought to its attention that the NH-29 project, originally slated for completion in September 2019, had not been finished.

On August 30, the AAG has submitted before the Court that a committee has been setup by the District Disaster Management Authority, Kohima to study and suggest the action points for mitigation of the Dzudza landslide on NH-29. After inspection, a report has been prepared along with plans for addressing the landslide, the submission added.

Accordingly, the Court then directed the AAG to file the action taken report and the plan chalked out by the State administration.
Meanwhile, during the hearing on October 1, the Amicus Curiae submitted that, in addition to the landslide issue, several portions of the road under PWD supervision have potholes that require remedial measures.

The Amicus Curiae further noted that the stretch of the highway under the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) is presently clear, but the agency needs to remain vigilant and maintain the road in good condition.

After considering the submissions, the Division Bench granted the State Government respondents four weeks to complete the ongoing work under its supervision. Additionally, NHIDCL was directed to ensure the highway remains in good condition.
The case will be heard again after four weeks.

Transfer of administrative control of District Court employees soon: AG

In a separate case heard by the Division Bench on October 1, the Advocate General of Nagaland informed the Court that the State Government has issued a notification for the transfer of administrative control of 211 District Court employees to the Gauhati High Court.
Further modalities will be finalised in consultation with the Administrative Wing of the High Court in the coming days, he said.

The Court acknowledged the State’s compliance with its previous orders in WP(C) No. 192/2018 and WP(C) No. 217/2019 but noted that the issue of District Court employees retiring after 35 years of service, contrary to the Nagaland District Employees Service Rules, 2017, remains unresolved.

The Advocate General assured that this matter will also be deliberated upon during discussions with the High Court. In view of the submission, the Bench listed the case for further hearing on December 6.