GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court has closed two Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petitions challenging the alignment of the NH-715 expansion and realignment project, following the government’s decision to review the highway’s design.
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A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Suman Shyam, had earlier sought clarification from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding concerns raised by the petitioners. The primary issues highlighted were:
-Deviation from the original alignment as notified by the NHAI.
-Reclassification of the project—initially designated as a Brownfield project, which should involve widening the existing highway, but instead being planned on a new alignment.
In response, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and NHAI submitted a joint affidavit, confirming that the current proposal for NH-715’s expansion has been put on hold. A letter from MoRTH, dated January 28, 2025, directed NHAI to submit a revised proposal with an alternative alignment.
During a review meeting on January 23, the Secretary of Road Transport and Highways suggested exploring alternative alignment options for the Kalibor-Numaligarh section (NH-715), which also passes near the Kaziranga National Park. Subsequently, MoRTH returned the original proposal unapproved, instructing NHAI to rework the alignment.
The Four Lane Demand Committee, Kaliabor, has been vocal in its opposition to the proposed realignment of NH-715. The planned diversion, which bypasses Kuwaritol, Hatbor, and Jakhalabandha, has raised concerns about economic and environmental consequences.
Senior Advocate Upamanyu Hazarika, representing the Committee, argued that the diversion would severely impact over 80,000 residents, disrupting livelihoods and local businesses. The Committee had previously met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on December 15, 2024, in New Delhi, to raise objections and highlight the potential harm to the local economy and ecology.
The petitioners were represented by Senior Advocate Kamal Nayan Choudhury, alongside Advocates Kon Kalita and Prashanta Kumar Saikia, who presented arguments against the proposed expansion.
Given that the project is now under reconsideration, and with NHAI suspending construction activities, the Gauhati High Court has deemed it appropriate to close the PIL petitions. However, the petitioners have been granted the liberty to file fresh PILs if new concerns arise.
