Only 7 per cent work completed till June 30,NHAI tells court

According to NHAI,3,300 trees have to be cut for the project,of which 1,050 trees are to be uprooted completely and the process would take another 30 days.

Another reason cited for the delay is the ban on mining in Burj Kotia.

The NHAI,meanwhile,stated that progress on the Zirakpur-Parwanoo stretch of the National Highway is running ahead of scheduled time. According to the report,as against the target of 35 per cent work,two per cent more has been completed.

Valecha Engineering Limited has,meanwhile,sought more time for construction of the Murthal and Ghanaur flyovers. In a report submitted with the court earlier,the company had asked for October 31 as the deadline for completion of the Ghanaur flyover and July 30 for Murthal. With construction delayed,the court today asked senior advocate M L Sarin,appointed amicus curiae in this case,to assist the court on what action should be taken against the authorities and the company.

Ircon International Limited also submitted its status report on the Samalkha flyover coming up on the Delhi-Chandigarh National Highway. The company stated that work on the project has already been completed and the underpass is open for traffic.