Shillong: The High Court of Meghalaya delayed the hearing for the Shillong-Dawki Road case until August 11. A division bench, featuring Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W. Diengdoh, issued the order on Monday. IIT Guwahati has been running a vulnerability assessment since July 14, but heavy rain slowed their progress.
The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) filed a report on July 27 detailing ongoing safety efforts. Contractors cleared loose mud and installed regulatory signs, road delineators, and metal beam crash barriers. They also deployed flagmen with reflective gear and communication equipment at construction sites. Bids to hire a third party for more safety installations opened July 22, with awards expected within a week.
Emergency logistics face hold-ups. The NHIDCL purchased an ambulance for the Pongtung PHC, but the vendor missed the July 13 delivery date. "We are working with NHIDCL to ensure that no new incidents occur," said East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal. The ambulance should arrive Tuesday.
Work at a school near a vulnerable stretch continues. Crews expect to finish a retaining wall by July 31. The court still awaits a damage estimate from the district administration to start school repairs. Meanwhile, the PWD is fixing a five-kilometer diversion road expected to be motorable in two to three weeks. Officials hope to avoid cutting trees along this path.
Technical issues persist at chainage 25+200. Boulders and stones blocked water flow through bridge channels, forcing the river onto the road. The court ordered immediate clearing of these obstructions to stop future rockslides. Separately, the district administration is moving ahead with land acquisition for a new 166.80 km four-lane highway connecting Mawlyngkhung to Panchgram. That massive project carries a Rs 22,864 crore price tag.
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