Nagpur — The Nagpur Bench of the High Court has asked the state government to explain what action can be taken against the contractor responsible for the incomplete Nagpur-Katol four-lane highway project. The court expressed serious concern after the contractor failed to respond to a public interest litigation (PIL) despite prior orders.
The PIL was filed by Dinesh Thakre, former president and current director of APMC Katol, along with others. The petition highlights the inconvenience faced by commuters due to the incomplete stretch between km 13 and km 62 of the NH-357J, a project that was initiated in September 2021 under an agreement between the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the joint venture of Agarwal Global Infratech Pvt. Ltd. and Joint Stock Company Industrial Association.
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20 May 2025
Despite multiple directives from the court, the contractor has not filed any response, prompting the court to direct the government counsel to propose possible actions against the defaulting company.
Contract Deadline Missed, Commuters Suffer
The court noted that the original work order was issued on March 30, 2021, and the contractor was expected to complete the project by October 28, 2023. However, the work remains unfinished, causing inconvenience to commuters for nearly five years.
During the hearing, it was mentioned that environmental clearance for a wildlife corridor came later, but the court observed that the Forest Department had not imposed any restrictions on the road construction. This raised questions about the actual reasons for the delay.
Court Questions Inaction by Authorities
Expressing displeasure over the prolonged delay, the court remarked that public-spirited citizens were compelled to approach the judiciary due to the inaction of the Union Ministry of Transport and NHAI in completing the NH-357J Nagpur-Katol section.
The court observed that the project has not reached its logical conclusion even after several years. In previous interim orders, the High Court had instructed the installation of radium boards and maintenance of diversion signage. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests also attended the hearing via video conference as per court instructions.
