Shillong, Dec 4: The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to jointly carry out afforestation after 103 trees were felled for the under-construction Shillong-Dawki four-lane road.
While directing the authorities concerned to ensure the afforestation work while disposing of a PIL, the bench comprising chief justice IP Mukerji and justice W Diengdoh said construction of the highway, which is long overdue but of paramount importance, has to proceed with expedition and completed as early as possible.”
Based on the request made through the PIL, the court called for a joint report from NHIDCL and state government for their proposal for afforestation in the area.
Earlier, against acquiring 16.107 hectare of land at Nongumiang, West Khasi Hills, the NHIDCL had paid ₹3.87 crore to Compulsory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) fund towards cost of compulsory afforestation over the same 16.107 ha land.
The NHIDCL, meanwhile, submitted to the court that the four-lane highway is being built in five packages or parts and that some obstruction was being faced while continuing the construction.
