The Chief Engineer (National Highways) has informed the High Court of Madras that the communications are made to the authorities under the Central Government for upgradation of the State Highways to National Highways.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala and Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed seeking direction to the respondents to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 5.8.2022 consequently direct the respondents to take necessary steps to start the project immediately.
S.N.Subramani , counsel for the petitioner submits that the State Highways are not being upgraded as National Highways. It takes 2½ hours to reach Tiruvannamalai from Kallakurichi. If the highways are upgraded, then the commuters would cover the distance within 45 minutes.
A proposal is sent by the State Government to the Union Government for upgradation of various State Highways, including the present highway, in the year 2018 itself, but the same are being upgraded.
A counter affidavit is filed by the third respondent. The counter states that steps are taken by the State authorities. The communications are made to the authorities under the Central Government for upgradation of the State Highways to National Highways.
Special Government Pleader submitted that till the said roads are declared as National Highways, the State authorities will be maintaining the said State Highways and the works are being carried out. The funds are also allotted for the same.