Repair Mansar-Khawasa stretch by Feb, HC ultimatum to NHAI

October 31, 2013

Vaibhav Ganjapure, TNN

NAGPUR: Peeved by the inaction of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) despite the ever worsening condition of the Mansar-Khawasa road, the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Tuesday issued an ultimatum to it to complete all repair works by February 2014.

TOI’s September 20 issue had reported in detail about the 40km stretch from Mansar to Khawasa on NH-7, where only potholes are left instead of road. Despite being a national highway, the potholes have turned into almost two-feet-deep ditches throughout the stretch. Of late, it had gained notoriety for accidents, long traffic snarls and damaged vehicles.

During the last hearing, a division bench comprising justice Bhushan Gavai and justice ZA Haq had asked NHAI what action it proposes against Oriental Nagpur Bye-Pass Construction Private Limited for failure to maintain the road. However, the court was informed by NHAI through an affidavit that Oriental’s contract ended on September 27 last year. The judges then asked chief general manager of NHAI to float new tenders and award contract to new bidder for repairing the road before November 15.

Ramtek MLA Ashish Jaiswal has also filed an intervention application in the suo motu petition where Nikhil Padhye was appointed amicus curiae.

Source-http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com