'Matter Of Great Concern': Kerala High Court On Collapse Of National Highway; NHAI Concedes Certain Lapses

While hearing a Writ Petition, the Kerala High Court on Friday (May 23) expressed its concern about the condition of roads in the light of the collapse of the recently elevated National Highway – 66 in Malappuram District.The Court observed: “Sri. Bidan Chandran, learned Standing Counsel for the NHAI conceded that there had been certain lapses with respect to the construction of the NHAI of the highway in certain places...” Justice Devan Ramachandran directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to submit a report once the High-Level Committee looks into the matter. The learned Single Judge further observed: “This is a matter of great concern for every citizen in Kerala because every one of us are looking forward to a high performing highway and were patient throughout when the construction was going on and is still being executed.News now encountered certainly creates great anxiety and this is while this Court, in the last orders said that an inevitable sense of foreboding sets in. However, Sri. Bidan Chandran wants more time to file the report, I propose to offer the NHAI such latitude.”The learned Single Judge had passed another interim order earlier this week, taking into account the worrying state of condition of the MG Road in Ernakulam. The matter was posted for next Thursday.Case No: WP(C) No. 32680 of 2008Case Title: C.P. Ajithkumar and another v. The State of Kerala and othersCounsel for the Petitioners: Tom K. ThomasCounsel for Respondents: Benhur Joseph Manayani, S. Krishnamoorthy CGC, Johnson Manayani, Jomy George, Jeevan Mathew Manayani, Sebastian Thomas, C.M. Suresh Babu, SC - Cochin Corporation, M. K. Thankappan, SC - GCDA, Thomas Antony, Atul Sohan, K. Janardhana Shenoy, SC - Kochi Municipal Corporation, B. G. Bidan Chandran, Lejo Joseph George, A. K. Preetha, B. Arunkumar, Rilgin V. George, G. Hariharan, Praveen H., Anil Kumar, M. Sivaraman, R. Reji (Attingal), Sreeja Sohan K., M.U. Vijayalakshmi (Advocate By Court Order) S. Ramesh Babu, SC - Cochin Corporation, P. Benjamin Paul, SC - Kerala Water AuthorityAmici Curie: S. Krishna, S. Vinod Bhat, P. Deepak

'Matter Of Great Concern': Kerala High Court On Collapse Of National Highway; NHAI Concedes Certain Lapses

K. Salma Jennath

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