Development of NH-53 Make it motorable : HC to BRTF
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 01 2011:
A division bench of the Gauhati High Court comprising Justice TNK and Justice Mutum BK has given directive to the BRTF for making the NH 53 atleast motorable during rainy season.
Movement of goods carriers along the NH-53 has gained momentum since last year following imposition of frequent bandhs and blockades along the NH-39, considered to be the most important lifeline of the State.
Taking cognisance of the fact that the condition of the NH53 has not shown any sign of improvement despite entrusting BRO for the maintenance along with providing the required fund by the Govt of India over the last many years, two members of Transporters and Drivers Council (TDC), namely H Kulamani and M Tomba have jointly filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Gauhati High Court on July 26, 2010 praying for necessary actions as well as for development of the road.
In the hearing of the PIL today, the division bench directed the BRTF to make the road atleast motorable during rainy season.
The Court directive was given directly to Executive Engineer (Civil), SG-24 of BRTF M Rajendrakumar, who personally appeared in the court in the hearing of the PIL today.
The Court further directed that the stretch of the NH 53 from Khongshang to Jiribam should be made motorable before the onset of rainy season and the BRTF should approach the State Govt as well as the Central Govt for the required security in connection with maintenance of law and order in carrying out the work.
Moreover, the Govt should do the needful in this regard promptly.
The Court also directed that if case spill over mud and other debris from laying of the railway track upto Imphal blocked the road or fall into the drain along the NH, thereby causing difficulties in the work of BRTF, the Govt of Manipur should ask the Northern Frontier Railway to remove the debris at the earliest possible.
The division bench directed Rajendrakumar, the attending BRTF representative, to submit a copy of the progress report of the road development work taken up from Khongshang to Jiribam along NH-53 to the court by May 25 .
Addressing a press conference today afternoon in the backdrop of the court directive, TDC president H Ranjit lamented that although the Court has always fixed the date of hearing the PIL filed by TDC members in time, it has remained postponed for over 7 months on account of the Government.
Pointing out that the condition of the NH53 for over a distance of 12 specially in between 137 kms and 149 kms from Imphal continued to remain deplorable beyond comparison, Ranjit appealed to all concerned for taking up work on war footing to ensure improvement of the said road stretch within a week.
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