NHAI apologises to Meghalaya high court for producing recycled photos of repair works

SHILLONG: The national highways authority of India (NHAI) has apologised to the Meghalaya high court for producing recycled photographs of repair works along national highway 06 between Jowai and Ratacherra.

The apology was tendered by S Sengupta, counsel representing NHAI during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Kynjaimon Amse.

The Court informed that an affidavit has been filed by Amse in response to the report filed earlier by the respondents.

Amse also enclosed with the affidavit, photographs taken on January 26 of NH6 at Sonapyrdi village, around Sonapur Tunnel, Kuliang Village, Pyrtakuna Village, Dona Umbluh Village and Ratacherra-Malidor (Assam Border).

The Court observed that the condition of the road at Kuliang Village and Pyrtakuna Village, are alarming to say the least; the picture of the bridge as annexed, even to the naked eye, appears that the bridge is impassable and unfit for vehicular movement.

The Meghalaya high court noted with serious concern the condition of this stretch of the highway.

The Meghalaya high court observed that though some pictures depict that some repair works are undergoing, the project director it appears, has recycled the photographs in as much as, the same photographs were produced before this court as part of the earlier status report dated December 11 last year.

The Meghalaya high court expressed its displeasure at the flippant attitude adopted by the NHAI, in conducting the proceedings, which are in public interest.

Sengupta tendered his apology, by submitting that these photographs have inadvertently been included again, and also submits that this will not be repeated in future.