Team Herald
PANJIM: Taking serious note of the delay in completing the 13-metres western bypass stretch at Margao, the High Court of Bombay at Goa gave last chance to the contractor to complete the work by December 25.
The court has also asked the State government to provide police protection so that there is no hindrance or obstruction at the site assuming that there was such hindrance or obstruction earlier. The National Highways Authority of India, the State authorities, and the contractor should now take all measures to ensure that the project is completed by December 25, it said.
The Division Bench comprising Justice Mahesh S Sonak and Justice M S Jawalkar observed that a mechanism which was put in place to provide police protection was not functioning.
Adv Nigel Costa Frias, arguing on behalf of the contractor pointed out that despite letters from the PWD Executive Engineer, National Highways Division, Margao Police are not prepared to come to the site. But the court said it will be the joint responsibility of the National Highways Authority of India, the State authorities as well as the contractor to complete the works in terms of the undertakings given.
“If the police authorities do not cooperate, we will be constrained to take a very serious note of their conduct. Their non-cooperation might even mean obstructing compliance with the orders made by us from time to time,” the Bench said.
Government Advocate Deep Shirodkar said that the copy of the order will be made available to the Margao Police Inspector and even instructions will be given to the Police Inspector to provide the necessary cooperation and protection.
The contractor who had earlier given an undertaking to complete the work by July 31, this year sought extension of time up to December 31.
He also alleged that there were certain disturbances or obstructions at the site from some locals and this was one of the grounds that he could not comply with the earlier undertaking. The contractor also alleged that orally there were directions issued by the National Highways Authority of India to stop the work.
Advocate General Dedvidas Pangam, on instructions, said that these reasons may not be genuine and submitted that in interest of completion of the project the State is not averse to provide police protection to the contractor so that the work is now completed.
The court said that it is not interested or concerned in finding out who is responsible for the delay and added that the delay in completing the important project is causing tremendous inconvenience to the public. It gave last chance to the contractor to complete the work by December 25.
