Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court ordered a joint inspection of a school damaged by the Shillong-Dawki Road construction. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, the Public Works Department, and the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner must participate in the assessment. Disagreements over repair costs prompted the court action. The PWD submitted estimates that the NHIDCL claims are far too high.
Deputy Solicitor General of India Dr. N. Mozika argued the PWD included repairs for structures unrelated to the road project. The court ruled out compensation for buildings not impacted by the ongoing construction. Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W. Diengdoh issued the order Monday. "We make it clear that NHIDCL is only concerned with construction of those buildings/structures which have been damaged during the construction of the Shillong-Dawki Road," the bench stated.
Mozika pledged that the NHIDCL will deposit funds for reconstruction once a fresh assessment concludes. Beyond the school dispute, the court addressed broader infrastructure concerns. Mozika submitted a preliminary report from IIT Guwahati concerning slope stability along the route to the Bangladesh border. The judges ordered a follow-up affidavit. They want a firm timeline for the final vulnerability assessment report.
Comments