Meenakshi Madan Rai, J.:— The Respondents No. 2 and 3 have filed their Report with regard to the stretch of road viz; Mangan-Chungthang-Lachung-Yuesomdong in North Sikkim. It is informed that now the said roads have been transferred to the Border Roads Organization (BRO) which was earlier slated to be handed over to the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). The Director General Border Roads, Headquarters, has directed Project Swastik to approach the NHIDCL to collect the Detailed Project Report pertaining to maintenance of the Highway and permanent solution to trouble spots thereof, if completed in all respects. That the road sector between Tashi View Point to Mangan (km 6.25 to km 66.10) has been handed over to Roads and Bridges Department, Government of Sikkim in terms of the decision rendered vide Gazette Notification of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, bearing No. S.O. 545 (E), dated 17.02.2015. The bridges in between the said stretch which was being constructed by the BRO have been completed except for the bridge at Sl. No. 5 (B-V Bridge), which is expected to be completed by 30.09.2019. However, even for this bridge there is an alternative previous bridge which is open for traffic and is undisturbed.
2. So far as Ambithang Land Slide and Sinking Area at km 64.200 before Mangan is concerned a revised contour plan as desired by the GSI, Shillong was forwarded to them in August, 2018, by Project Swastik. The final feasibility study report is still awaited from the GSI, Shillong. That earlier the BRO was not pursuing the matter since the roads were to be handed over to the NHIDCL. Now, in view of the roads having been handed back to the BRO, necessary steps will be taken to request the report from the GSI, Shillong at the earliest, pursuant to which the report will be handed over to the Roads and Bridges Department, Government of Sikkim for taking necessary steps in regard to the said stretch.
3. That, the stretch of road from Lachung to Yuemsomdong is also being maintained by the BRO and is open for vehicular traffic and will continue to be maintained by the BRO.
4. The report of Respondent No. 7 states that there is no disturbance on the stretch of road between Tashi View Point to Mangan except for the stretch in Ambithang where restoration works are being carried out. However, presently there is no difficulty for vehicular movement. Once the report is received from the GSI, Shillong, necessary steps will be taken by the State Government Department.
5. In view of the above reports, the BRO is directed to take immediate steps with regard to the Report to be obtained from GSI, Shillong and to ensure that works required to be done can be expedited. It is hoped and expected that the GSI, Shillong will hand over the Report at the earliest to the BRO to enable them to take necessary steps with the State Government Department.
6. That the State Government will also on receipt of the report from GSI, Shillong take expeditious necessary steps for permanent solution of the trouble spot at the Ambithang stretch.
7. With the above directions and observations, this WP (PIL) stands disposed of.