Manoj Singh
ITANAGAR, June 27: Sustainability, traditional architectural design, high-quality structures, majestic landscaping, etc will be the features of the proposed permanent court building of the Itanagar Permanent Bench of Gauhati High Court which might be the State’s own High Court in a later stage.
Designed by a New Delhi-based Design Associates, the new High Court building project, being executed by the State Public Works Department (PWD) Naharlagun division at an estimated cost of Rs 135.35 crore, whereas the agreement was signed with the executing firm with Rs. 127.58.70 lakhs. The work is being executed with a target to be completed by February 24, 2024.
Its construction work commenced on February 25, 2021 but may be delayed only as the present high court functioning in the majority of land is still to be shifted and due to which the agency could not start the work in the whole block.
Arunachal Pradesh, one of few states in the North East which does not have an independent High Court, has been yearning for the same since long with the state leaders including the Governor and the Chief Minister often pleading the Centre whenever ‘opportunities’ come their way for a permanent and independent high court for our state which may give way to deliver justice at doorstep.
However, Arunachal’s MP and Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju made it amply clear that the State Government will have to provide infrastructure for the establishment of the High Court. The foundation stone of the court building was laid by CM Pema Khandu at the existing site of the Itanagar Permanent Bench of the High Court at Naharlagun on August 12, 2018.
It requires a mention that the Itanagar Permanent Bench of the Gauhati HC came into existence 22 years back and was inaugurated by the then Chief Justice of India, Justice A S Anand on August 12, 2000. The court was housed in an old SP-type building constructed way back in 1974 which “has already outlived its life span and beyond economical repairable condition”.
Being constructed at a built area of 21,208.86 sq mtr, the proposed state-of-the-art building, a basement + G+3 structure, will accommodate five courts, including the one for the Chief Justice. The basement will be able to accommodate around two hundred vehicles and one hundred two wheelers and more space for parking vehicles outside the campus. The first floor area will be dedicated to higher officials including the Chief Justice’s court, CJ’s chamber & secretariat, and all facilities for the judges.
The second floor will consist of a computer cell and e-programming division, and the third floor will be housing the bar library. The building will have lift services – two for judges and four for public, and separate staircases for judges and public alike.
The ground floor will accommodate the offices of administrative staff, registry office, accounts & finance section, commissioner office, canteen for lawyers & staff and other facilities for litigants.
The building will have an auditorium block with a seating capacity of 300 persons. Overall, the compound has a fortified boundary wall around the periphery, separate power sub-station, fire fighting and security features etc.
Though initially the construction work slowed down due to Covid pandemic, the project is going at a right pace now despite facing challenges owing to the prevailing climatic conditions, an official said.
Even if the executing and construction agencies are upbeat of completing the project within the set time frame, given the limited working season in Arunachal, only time will have ‘the final say’ when it sees the light of the day.
The upcoming multi-storied court building’s construction is speeded up after the project was badly impacted by Covid-19 pandemic. As of now, foundation work of the main building is completed upto 70% and overall construction work is 30% complete, officials said.
Officials in PWD Naharlagun Division informed that the yet-to-be relocated Permanent Bench of the High Court stands as a “big hurdle” for them to carry out the foundation works in the entire compound and such a portion of the work is in progress.
The Guwahati-based M/s Ganapati Construction Company is constructing the building and the officials of PWD Naharlagun Division are supervising and monitoring the work progress on daily basis, the project manager of the firm, Rabin Bhunia said, while adding that without a check not a trivial work is done.
“We are going with the target subject to handing over of all the lands for several works of the High Court building complex. The total plinth area of the building is 19,017.63 sq mtr. The building has all the basic facilities and is being constructed as per the approved design. The most important part of the building is that it would have a traditional touch and would be one of the best assets like any other Govt buildings and installations,” he said.
PWD section officer Techi Lug said that the project work got delayed due to lack of manpower during the pandemic and now, the inclement weather is also affecting the smooth progress of the building.
“The construction work is only going on in the area where the State Guest House existed, and work at the present high court campus is still to start as the area is yet to be vacated by the court authority. The most delayed work is in foundation works and once the high court is shifted we will start the foundation work there as well,” JE Lug said.
“Our superior officers like Executive Engineer Tana Nekam Tara and AE Pema Dorjee, and officers from the High Court and Law Department are visiting the project site on a regular basis and also monitoring the project,” he added.
Representative of M/s Ganapati Construction Co, Bhunia said, “Moment after the agreement was reached, we have started the work and are trying to deliver the best of our quality works. The building is traditionally designed to give it a beautiful look. We are hopeful that a good-looking High Court campus comes up.”
Arunachal Pradesh Bar Association president, Advocate Tayum Son said that before the agency starts the work in full swing the temporary shifting of the high court is necessary and expressed hope that the court is immediately shifted so that the work progress is fast tracked.
“The APBA has constituted a monitoring committee to oversee the work progress and from time to time, we coordinate with the Registrar and the executing agency and also oversee the quality work is done. The agency is unable to take up the work in full throttle only because of non-shifting of the high court to Yupia,” added Advocate Son.
Meanwhile, Gauhati High Court Itanagar Permanent Bench Registrar Budi Habung speaking to the media said, “I have just joined the office of High Court recently. On my joining, I have immediately spoken to the officials of the PWD, PHED and other line departments with regard to shifting of the High Court at Yupia court campus,” he said.
There are three courts at Yupia campus, and the district and sessions court has to be shifted to its old campus near the DC office and work is in progress and hope that the District and Sessions Court starts functioning by July itself without much obstruction, he said.
The two courts of Chief Judicial Magistrate and Judicial Magistrate First Class have to be shifted in the same building on the 1st floor and the preparation begins and once it is completed, the court would be shifted. Once both the courts are shifted, preparation for shifting of high court will begin and hope that all the process of shifting would be completed before the next court vacation, he said.
“It has come to our knowledge, and information has been received by the bar association, that there is acute water supply problem in the court campus and we are in touch with the PHED and the PHED may process for getting approval and sanction for the water supply scheme from the state government and once it is approved the department may make the best possible way for the water supply to the Yupia court campus and at the same time the process of shifting of the high court will take place and the construction of permanent bench building goes smoothly, Habung added.
Someone is saying that the accident occurred due to brake failure but it is a matter of investigation. The accident happened when the vehicle was turning toward the WRD colony. As per information the bus did not fall down and capsized and skidded off; fortunately 16 school children were injured.
Someone is saying that the accident occurred due to brake failure but it is a matter of investigation. The accident happened when the vehicle was turning toward the WRD colony. As per information the bus did not fall down and capsized and skidded off; fortunately 16 school children were injured.