Himachal court questions over delay in road construction

Shimla, July 16 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Saturday asked the state government to look into the inordinate delay in the construction of a World Bank-funded road in Shimla's prominent apple belt and again directed the contractor to complete the work expeditiously.

Issuing notice to Himachal Pradesh Road and Other Infrastructure Development Corp Ltd, the court directed it to not only to monitor the progress of the Theog-Hatkoti road but also to file compliance report in court after every two weeks.

A division bench of Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan observed: "Do the needful and make all possible efforts to take the contract to its logical end. Any deviation shall be viewed seriously."

The bench was hearing a public interest litigation on the delay in construction of the road.

The petition sought directions to the state government to complete the construction of the 80-km long Theog-Kotkhai-Hatkoti-Rohru stretch efficiently and properly within the stipulated time frame.

Road construction consultant Louis Berger Group informed the court that funding from the World Bank for the project has been extended till June next year.