Complete Western Bypass works by September 30: HC

Staff Reporter

Panaji 

Toughening its stance on the much-delayed Western Bypass, the High Court of Bombay at Goa has granted extension to the contractor of the road project to complete all works by September 30 this year.

Hearing an application related to suo moto cognisance of the road project recently, the High Court directed the contractor not to deviate from schedule even slightly.

“The time limit for completing the balanced stretch of the Western Bypass has long expired. Every time, the contractor or the state gives different reasons and seeks extensions. This time, the reason concerns permission from the KRCL to complete one crucial stretch of this work,” the High Court said.

The court also said the Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL) has granted permission vide notification issued on April 27 this year.  

In terms of this permission, the state/contractor has to commence the work on May 2 and conclude it by May 29. Adherence to this time schedule is crucial because the KRCL has scheduled its train timings/movements accordingly.

“This time, therefore, neither the state nor its contractor must deviate from this schedule even slightly,” the court said.

The Advocate General stated that the balance of the work will be completed positively by September 30 this year without seeking further extensions.

The Advocate General has pointed out that the rest of the work can go on simultaneously, and is going on simultaneously.

He submitted that it is not as if the works now permitted by the KRCL must be completed before the other works can be taken up.

The High Court said, “Be that as it may, considering the past delays and the flimsy reasons for such delays, we clarify that, at least now, the state and its contractor must stick to the schedule given to us and stand by the commitments made. All works must be completed by 30th September, as now undertaken before us.”

The court said that no more excuses are left for the contractor to drag the work as the Konkan Railway has given the contractor permission to commence the work in KRC property from May 2 to May 29.

It also directed the PWD engineers to monitor the work and report the process to the court from time to time to ensure that the contractor completes the work before September 30.

The High Court issued directions to the executive engineer to file periodical reports to it to maintain some seriousness about sticking to the time schedule.

“First of such reports must be filed by the executive engineer on or before the 10th of June 2024 by giving the amicus curiae an advance copy.”

It is pertinent to note that the work on the Western Bypass from Benaulim to Seraulim passing through Mungul has been pending for several years. With the work being taken up along the entire stretch, the High Court had given the contractor a deadline of December 31, 2023 to complete the work.

While disposing of the miscellaneous civil application by granting extension up to September 30, the court also directed to place the matter for directions on June 12 to consider the status of the progress.