Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 4: High Court today came down heavily on various authorities for not cooperating with the Court Commissioners for bringing the actual position of roads before the court and warned them of stern action.
Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad and Justice Aloke Aradhe after hearing the Court Commissioners appointed for bringing the actual position of various roads, took serious view of failure on part of R&B, NHAI and BRO to cooperate with them while having spot inspection on the roads which have been assigned by the court to them.
Court in this connection sought affidavit from Chief Engineer R&B, National Highway Authority of India and Border Roads Organization indicating therein as to why this has happened (non-cooperation with Court Commissioners) despite court directions.
“We direct CE R&B to submit an affidavit indicating as to why this has happened despite the court orders. That the officers of R&B are not cooperating because they are preventing the correct status be produced before the court. CE shall file an affidavit and try to dispel impression we are getting”, CJ and Justice Aradhe directed.
The reports of Court Commissioners indicate that at a number of spots between Srinagar-Galandar there are pot-holes and the road is uneven in patches.
It is also pointed out by the Court Commissioners that even after macdamization of the road is under taken the same is immediately dug up by local authorities due to lack of coordination between the authorities particularly R&B and NHAI.
In this context Court directed the R&B to draw up a plan so that the same is followed in every district where roads are to be dug up for utility services or for other reasons, so that whatever work is to be done is done prior to the macadamizing of roads.
Court has also been informed that certain high-tension wires are causing impediment in the progress of the work in so for as the NHAI is concerned. Court directed the concerned authorities to address the issue.
Court also noted the act of one Prabhat Kumar appointed as one of the nodal officers by the court to make arrangement for Court Commissioners while visiting the road as he was contacted but did not give positive response to Commissioners call.
“On the previous occasion we had clearly directed that a very strict view be taken in case the officers do not cooperate with the Court Commissioners. Prabhat Kumar shall submit an affidavit indicating as to why he did not respond to the call of the Court Commissioner. Depending on his affidavit court will take further course of action”, DB said.
As regards to Srinagar-Sonmarg road stretch, Court Commissioners report was examined and taken on record. Court directed the R&B Department and Border Roads Organization to respond to the report by next date. Court Commissioners also complained that the BRO authorities are not cooperating. “An affidavit be submitted by the BRO indicating as to why they are not cooperating”, DB directed.
About the Sumbal-Bandipora, Court Commissioner submitted that he also contacted one Showkat Chowdry PRO in R&B Department and one of the nodal officers. Despite the efforts to the officer he could not arrange visit of the Court Commissioner along with the officers of R&B.
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