Shillong: Repairs on the Jowai-Ratacherra road will wrap up by December 15. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited confirmed the timeline to the High Court of Meghalaya on Tuesday. Biju Patir, executive director of NHIDCL, attended the hearing to satisfy a court order after missing the previous session on August 17.
Rain has delayed the work. Bitumen application will begin during the first week of October. Nitesh Mozika, Deputy Solicitor General of India, submitted a report detailing the progress for NHIDCL. He noted that the defect liability period spans three years, guaranteeing that authorities will force contractors to finish rectification work by the December 15, 2026 deadline.
Senior counsel P Bhattacharjee represented the National Highways Authority of India. He provided an affidavit from Deputy Manager Hemant Kumar Tiwari regarding actions taken against contractors. These measures preceded a July 21, 2026, tripartite agreement involving the NHAI, the NHIDCL, and four companies. This group includes M/s Dhar Construction Company, M/s Purbanchal Buildtech Pvt. Ltd., and two specialized firms.
Amicus Curiae S. Panthi requested time to review the filings. Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh ordered Panthi to conduct a site inspection before the next hearing. The court pushed the process forward to ensure accountability. "The authorities will ensure that the contractors complete the rectification works not later than December 15, 2026," Mozika told the court.
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