Court to engineers: Improve Sikkim roads drastically or face disciplinary action

BIJOY GURUNG

High Court takes into account deplorable road conditions in Sikkim

GANGTOK,: The High Court of Sikkim has warned to direct disciplinary proceedings against concerned engineers and staff if the roads repairing work in Sikkim does not improve drastically.

“Now the time has come for this Court to take into account the deplorable conditions of the roads within Sikkim. It appears that in this regard, the concerned authorities responsible for maintenance and repair of these roads are quite tardy in their approach,” noted the division bench of Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder and Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai on October 29.

The division bench was hearing a suo moto PIL related to highways and roads of Sikkim and listed some of the roads in Sikkim which require immediate attention. These roads are along Pangthang-Samdong-Tumin-Makha-Singtam; Singtam-West Pendam-Rorathang-Rongli; Mangan-Dzongu; and Mangan-Chungthang and beyond.

The list is merely indicative and not exhaustive, observed the court.

The additional Advocate General was directed to inform the High Court of Sikkim on the next date as to whether repair and/or maintenance of the above stretches of roads have commenced or not.

“We wish to make it clear that in the event the tardy pace of work in respect of repairing of roads within the State of Sikkim does not improve drastically, we will not hesitate to make the concerned engineers and staff accountable for the same and will, if necessary, direct the competent authority of the State of Sikkim to initiate disciplinary proceedings against them,” said the division bench.

The matter would be next heard on December 12.

Meanwhile, as per the court’s orders, a report has been filed by the PWD authorities of West Bengal who look after the NH10 stretch between Rangpo and Sevoke Bazaar.

Amicus Curiae Tashi Rapten Barfungpa has been directed to go through the report and offer his views at the next hearing.