GANGTOK, 20 Nov: The High Court of Sikkim has pulled up the Ministry of Surface Transport & Roads and Chief Engineer, Project Swastik, for what it sees as their lackadaisical approach towards maintaining the national highway connecting Sikkim to the rest of the country. The Sikkim High Court has also passed several directions for administrative and other sanctions for maintenance of border roads.
The division bench of the High Court observed that since the first PIL on poor road conditions was taken up in 2010, and even after several directions were passed in the past four years, the Ministry and Project Swastik have not been able to expedite upgradation of national and border roads.
While expressing its dissatisfaction over the delay and lackadaisical approach of high ranking personnel sitting in New Delhi, the division bench directed the authorities concerned to file an affidavit within two weeks assuring the court that they will comply with all the directions passed by High Court.
“If the central government fails to assure compliance with the directions, the court is ready to take a stronger stand. Sikkim being a sensitive border state and considering its dependence on the tourism industry, the road conditions have to be improved for tourism and national security concerns,” the division bench observed.
Sikkim High Court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on 04 December and also directed the central government counsels to seek directions from all the respondents. The court has further directed the amicus curiae to support the court in reaching a decision.
The division bench of the High Court observed that since the first PIL on poor road conditions was taken up in 2010, and even after several directions were passed in the past four years, the Ministry and Project Swastik have not been able to expedite upgradation of national and border roads.
While expressing its dissatisfaction over the delay and lackadaisical approach of high ranking personnel sitting in New Delhi, the division bench directed the authorities concerned to file an affidavit within two weeks assuring the court that they will comply with all the directions passed by High Court.
“If the central government fails to assure compliance with the directions, the court is ready to take a stronger stand. Sikkim being a sensitive border state and considering its dependence on the tourism industry, the road conditions have to be improved for tourism and national security concerns,” the division bench observed.
Sikkim High Court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on 04 December and also directed the central government counsels to seek directions from all the respondents. The court has further directed the amicus curiae to support the court in reaching a decision.
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