MEGHALAYA MINE OWNERS AND EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION Vs. STATE OF MEGHALAYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners who are stated to be a registered Association of the mine owners and exporters, engaging in the business of exporting minerals to Bangladesh are before this Court seeking directions that a portion of the road which is on the export route, which was washed away due to a landslide that occurred in 2010, at a place called Saw Nombor village, be restored by the PWD respondent.

(2.) Mr. P. Yobin, learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the road had been in existence since the time of the Assam Government connecting Borsora to Ranikor, and the said road was maintained by the PWD. He further submits that after a portion of the road was washed away due to heavy monsoon, the same was never repaired which has resulted in dislocation of their business and the exporters were compelled to use an alternate road since the past 10 years which is stated to be located in the land of the respondent No. 4.

(3.) It is further contended that for the use of the alternate road the petitioners have been made to pay tolls under the authority of the Syiem of Langrin, through it Management Board. In this context, the attention of this Court has been drawn to the No-Objection Certificate dtd. 22/9/2021 issued by the Syiem of Langrin and the Management Board that they would have no objection to the PWD to re-construct the said portion of the approach road to Borsora.