Guwahati: The Meghalaya High Court has temporarily prohibited the felling of trees in Package 1 of the Shillong-Dawki Road project until concerns regarding its implementation are addressed.
“Tree felling should not proceed further for Package 1 until a contractor is awarded the project and can carry out construction unhindered,” stated a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W Diengdoh.
The court’s decision came after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) drew attention to the deforestation in Shillong as part of the initial package funded by Japan for the road construction project.
The Public Works (R&B) Department submitted a status report revealing that work on Package 1 had not started due to the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism’s (IIG) refusal to release land for the project.
The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) stated, “altering the road’s alignment at this stage to accommodate the IIG’s observatory would be impractical.”
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
The court said that until the IIG relents and allows the project to proceed, even with the appointment of a contractor, serious work on Package 1 cannot be initiated.
The court has scheduled another hearing on July 31, 2023, to receive an updated report on the matter.
Also Read | Meghalaya: Tura NGO begins hunger strike over backlog policy, winter capital