NHAI & NTPC should pay Rs208 cr for repairing roads at Koradi: Govt to HC

Nagpur: The Maharashtra government on Wednesday informed the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court that they have to recover Rs 164 crore from National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Rs44 crore from National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) for repairing the roads around Koradi that were damaged due to movement of heavy trailers.
A division bench comprising Justices Bhushan Gavai and Justice Mrudula Bhatkar then adjourned the hearing by two weeks.The government’s response came through an affidavit filed as per court’s directives.
The court was hearing a PIL filed by Kamptee MLA and now state energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule alleging extensive damage on roads around Koradi. The MLA sought directives to secretary and executive engineer of PWD for recovery of damages from NTPC and NHAI, and also taking action against the concerned officers for failing to maintain the road.
During the last hearing, the court had constituted a panel for inspecting roads and working out modalities for their repairs. In its report, the panel said Rs208 crore would be needed for their repairs.
The panel led by State Public Works Department (PWD) superintendent engineer would comprise representatives from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), recommended that repair works should be funded from the Central Roads Funds (CRF). However petitioner’s counsel Anil Kilor contended that the roads were damaged due to plying of heavy vehicles of NTPC and other companies and they should provide funds for repairs rather than using precious public funds.