Shillong, June 3: The Meghalaya High Court has observed a significant decline in the number of mineral-laden trucks plying towards the Bangladesh border along National Highway-206 following its interim directions aimed at regulating mineral transportation and improving road safety.
Hearing PIL No. 4 of 2026 on Wednesday, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W. Diengdoh took on record a report submitted by Amicus Curiae Philemon Nongbri following a site inspection conducted on May 14 along the Dawki-Tamabil and Dawki-Amlarem-Jowai road stretches.
According to the report, the number of loaded trucks travelling towards Dawki has fallen drastically from around 300-350 vehicles per day before the court’s interim order to approximately 25 vehicles daily after the order was implemented. The report also noted a substantial improvement in compliance, with most trucks displaying proper registration numbers and adhering to road regulations.
However, the Amicus Curiae pointed out several areas requiring improvement, including inadequate police patrolling, absence of enforcement personnel at certain key locations, poor road conditions, and a lack of signboards on roads leading to limestone quarries. The report also highlighted that damaged roads and long queues of trucks continue to pose safety risks to commuters and tourists.
The court also considered an affidavit filed by the Commissioner of Transport, which revealed that the Transport Department had conducted a special intensive enforcement drive across all 12 districts between April 16 and May 22. During the period, more than 29,000 vehicles were inspected for violations related to registration plates, fitness certificates, pollution certificates, insurance and permits. Over 7,296 vehicles were checked in East Khasi Hills and 4,539 in West Jaintia Hills alone.
The affidavit further stated that vehicles lacking valid documents were detained or seized. Around 120 heavy goods vehicles renewed their fitness certificates between April 21 and May 27, generating inspection fees of ₹1.73 lakh and penalties amounting to approximately ₹64,000.
Taking note of the progress made, the High Court observed that there had been substantial compliance with its earlier directions and acknowledged the efforts of the Transport Department.
At the same time, the court expressed concern over the poor condition of roads along the route and ordered the impleadment of the Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as respondents in the case. Notices were issued to both agencies.
The court directed authorities to deploy adequate transport and police personnel at the Amjeha weighbridge and the main junction leading to the Dawki Land Port within three weeks. It also instructed the Directorate of Mineral Resources and the Forest Department to map all entry and exit points connected to licensed limestone quarries and install official numbered signboards to ensure minerals originate only from authorised mines.
Further, the PWD and NHAI were directed to undertake urgent repairs of damaged stretches of NH-206 and complete the work preferably within four weeks.
The court was informed that all access points leading to unlicensed limestone quarries had already been sealed and that authorities would continue monitoring the situation to prevent illegal mining activities.
In addition, the bench requested the state’s environmental authorities to examine the long-term environmental impact of limestone quarrying and submit a report before the next hearing. The court also directed the state government to pay an interim remuneration of ₹1 lakh to Amicus Curiae Philemon Nongbri for his assistance in the matter.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 15, 2026.
