Delay in widening of a section of NH-70: Patna high court seeks NHAI reply

PATNA: The Patna high court on Tuesday expressed anguish over delay in widening of a section of NH-107 passing through three districts of Bihar – Khagaria, Madhepura and Saharsa – and sought a detailed reply from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in this regard.
A division bench comprising chief justice Sanjay Karol and justice S Kumar, while hearing a batch of PILs, expressed its displeasure over sluggish execution of the 90km project.
The court was informed that the deadline of the project had lapsed on December 19, 2021 and it was further extended to June 2023 due to obstructions caused at several points by locals.
Responding to the allegation, additional advocate general Anjani Kumar contended that if such allegations are submitted through the affidavits, the administration and police will take action. NHAI’s counsel Dr Maurya Vijay assured the court on behalf of his client that 50% of work on this project would be completed by June this year. The court will now hear the matter on January 25.
The court also expressed dismay over the delay in shifting of a bus stand from Ramashish Chowk on Hajipur-Muzaffarpur four-lane and delay in acquisition of identified plots which have narrowed the highway at certain patches.
Munger-Mirzachowki NH-80: The Patna high court on Thursday asked the state road construction department to file an affidavit detailing the status of maintenance of Munger-Mirzachowki NH-80. The court also asked the state transport department to seek a plausible alternative for the passage of heavy vehicles on the highway.
AAG Anjani Kumar sought a two-week time to furnish the requisite data but orally indicated that the maintenance work would be completed by March.
Illegal BEd college: The Patna high court on Tuesday asked the state government to furnish an action taken report within the next 48 hours in a matter of existence of an “illegal” college, Er Upendra Sharma Teachers Training College at Telhara Khurd village in Dhaka block of East Champaran district.
The petitioner has alleged that the college was running “on papers” only.