Court closes Public Interest Litigation against enquiry into ‘unexecuted’ works
Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench closed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against seeking enquiry into ‘unexecuted’ works and ‘misappropriation’ of funds on Meluri district road projects
- KOHIMA — The
Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench closed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL)
filed against seeking enquiry into ‘unexecuted’ works and ‘misappropriation’ of
funds on Meluri district road projects.
- Initiated in November 2020, the court scrutinised the road
projects—Lephory to Molhe (26 km) and Akhen to Star Lake (15 km)—which had been
delayed for over a decade since the original work orders were issued in 2011.
- The court on February 19 (Wednesday) closed and disposed off
the PIL and interlocutory application (IA) in connection with the case after
considering the completion certificate issued by the executive engineer of PWD
(R&B), Phek division, on February 20 and submission made by the
petitioners' lawyer.
- In a completion certificate submitted to the court, the
executive engineer of PWD (R&B) stated that the works have been executed
and completed as per the approved revised working estimate.
- “It should be noted that the total length of the road was
41.000 km as per the approved DPRs sanctioned. However, the actual length for
execution sums up to 38.300 Km, after re-surveying and assessment for requisite
items of works to provide road connectivity,” it stated.
- “The major items of works already executed was within the
initial 22.000 kms and items of works to execute, encompassed in the Revised
Working Estimate is confined in the later road length of 16.300 Km, which has
been executed and completed as per the approved revised Working Estimate,” it
added.
- The amount utilised for the projects was INR 3,224.15 and
was completed on December 30, 2024.
- “In view of the affidavit submitted by the State respondents
as well as the learned counsel for respondent No. 7, Mr. Sentiyanger, learned
counsel for the petitioners submits that though the completion is not in terms
of the original Work Order and the DPR but as the respondent No. 7 has
completed the work in terms of the Revised Working Estimates dated December,
2023, he has no further grievance and the present PIL can be closed,” the court
stated.
