Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Tashi Rabstan has sought detailed information about the repairs carried out on old National Highway-IA with effect from January 1, 2018.
The direction in this regard was issued in a Public Interest Litigation highlighting condition of roads in State. “Status report dated 15.03.2019 has been filed by Advocate Syed Faisal Qadri on behalf of respondents wherein it is stated that the responsibility for maintaining the old highway rests with the Roads and Buildings Department of the State”, the DB observed.
During the course of hearing Advocate Qadri drew the attention of the DB towards the letter dated 08.09.2018 whereby the National Highway Authority has released an amount of Rs 1159.87 lakh in favour of Public Works (R&B) Department for one time repairs / improvement of NH 1-A.
On this, AAG Chashoo appearing for the Public Works (R&B) Department submitted that the department has undertaken necessary repairs of the NH 1A.
Upon this, Division Bench directed Public Works (R&B) Department to file an affidavit under the signatures of the Chief Engineer giving details of repairs which have been effected on the old National Highway 1-A with effect from 01.01.2018. DB further directed the Public Works (R&B) Department to specify the utilization and expenditure of the amount it has received and utilized.
“Difficulty has been pointed out by the M/s Ramky Infrastructure Limited with regard to activation of one of the bridges at Galander (Pampore) with the existence of high-tension wires and Government Advocate Hakim Aman has informed that PDD is providing all assistance to the respondent”, the DB further observed.
“Prima facie it seems unreasonable how Ramky Infrastructure Limited would be expected to shift transmission lines which have been installed by the Power Development Department. Therefore, respondent shall respond to the communication dated 20.02.2019 which is claimed to have been sent by the Power Development Department and give the requisite information for ensuring that the bridge becomes operational”, the DB said and directed that the status reports shall be filed before the next date.
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