HC records displeasure over slow progress of NH 31A works

GANGTOK, 06 July: The High Court of Sikkim has recorded its displeasure over the slow pace of progress of works on the National Highway 31 A. The Court had taken suo moto cognizance of the sorry state of affairs relating to the maintenance and improvement of the national highway and has been hauling up the state administration and other agencies, including the Border Roads Organisation and other central government agencies, over the apparent lack of urgency in their efforts towards such an important component of national security. The primary stumbling block in the progress of works seems to be the process of receiving forest clearances and also the bureaucracy’s tendency to keep decisions pending. 
In this regard, the Court noted that some decisions have been pending for two years with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Indian Railways as also the Director General of BRO.
“The Court has no option but to record its displeasure,” it stated.
The court further directed that all concerned agencies to finalise the decision making process and issue appropriate sanction/ direction within 2 months with monthly progress report to be submitted to the court.
In its order dated 02 July, 2012, the High Court noted, from the progress report submitted by Director, Works of Project Swastik, on the construction works on the national highway, that though there was some progress at various places “…we are at pain to say that various agencies are totally lackluster in taking their decision particularly  in regard to grant of clearance by the Wildlife, Forest and Land Acquisition at various levels”.
With Mile 27 of NH 31A under the maintenance of the NHPC due to the Teesta HEP there, the Court directed that NHPC be impleaded as a party to the proceedings.
While progress of works at 27 Mile has been shown as 50% complete, there was no indication as to when they would be completed. Similarly, the Court noted that 9 Mile beyond Ranipool which is a sinking zone is be maintained by the state PWD. However, there were no details as to the status of the work and whether it had been sanctioned or not.