Patna High Court

Lala Sheshendra Narayan Rais (NH-27-Elevated Corridor in Gopalganj town)versusThe Union of India

Decided: 8 January 2026
Disposal: DISPOSED
Bench: THE CHIEF JUSTICE RITESH KUMAR

Holding

The petition is dismissed because the respondents have demonstrated that the highway project is already completed.

Summary

The petitioner filed a public interest litigation seeking a writ directing the Union of India, NHAI and other authorities to construct and complete the Gopalganj Elevated Corridor of National Highway 27 within the stipulated timeline. The respondents submitted that the project had already been completed, and a supplementary counter‑affidavit indicated an anticipated completion date of 15‑03‑2025, later contradicted by statements that the work was finished. The court, after hearing no representation from the petitioner, accepted the respondents' claim of completion. Consequently, the writ petition was dismissed as there was no longer any basis to order further construction. The matter was therefore disposed of.

Issues considered

Whether the court should issue a writ directing the completion of the NH‑27 Gopalganj Elevated Corridor when the respondents assert that the project is already completed.

Subjects

Public Interest Litigation
Writ Petition
National Highway Authority of India
Infrastructure Completion
Court Disposal

Judgment

           IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
                      Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.2971 of 2022
     ======================================================
     Lala Sheshendra Narayan Rais, Son of Late Lala K.N. Rais, Resident of
     Mohalla- Kishan Colony, Phase- 2, P.S.- Phulwarisharif, Anisabad, District-
     Patna


                                                                       ... ... Petitioner/s
                                           Versus
1.   The Union of India through the Secretary, Department of Ministry of Road
     Transport and Highway Authority of India, New Delhi.
2.   The Secretary, Department of Ministry of Road Transport and Highway
     Authority of India, New Delhi.
3.   The National Highway Authority through its Chairman.
4.   The     Additional     Chief   Secretary,   Road    Construction       Department,
     Government of Bihar, Patna.
5.   The District Magistrate, Gopalganj.


                                                                     ... ... Respondent/s
     ======================================================
     Appearance :
     For the Petitioner/s     :       None
     For the UOI              :       Mr. Kumar Priya Ranjan, CGC
                                      Mr. Girish Nandan Abhishek, Advocate
                                      Ms. Nirmala Singh, Advocate
                                      Mr. Vibhuti Kumar, Advocate
                                      Mr. Sandeep Kumar, Advocate
     For the State            :       Mr. P.K. Shahi, Advocate General
                                      Mr. Anjani Kumar, AAG-4
                                      Mr. Alok Kumar Rahi, AC to AAG-4
     For the NHAI             :       Dr. K.N. Singh, Sr. Advocate
                                      Mr. Maurya Vijay Chandra, Advocate
                                      Mr. Shivaditya Dhari Sinha, Advocate
                                      Mr. Abhinav, Advocate
                                      Ms. Preety Ranjan, Advocate
     ======================================================
          Patna High Court CWJC No.2971 of 2022(14) dt.08-01-2026
                                                     2/3




                  CORAM: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
                        and
                        HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RITESH KUMAR
                                     ORAL ORDER

                  (Per: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE)

14   08-01-2026                 None appears for the petitioner.

                                2. This writ petition, in the nature of Public Interest

                    Litigation, has been filed for issuance of appropriate

                    writ/order/direction to the respondent authorities to construct

                    and complete the project of National Highway No. 27,

                    Gopalganj Elevated Corridor Road with promptitude within the

                    timeline fixed for the completion of aforesaid project.

                                3. When the matter was listed last time on 18.12.2025,

                    a submission was made on behalf of the respondents that the

                    project has already been completed. The order was passed that

                    counter affidavit be filed on behalf of all the stakeholders that

                    the project has already been completed.

                                4. It is pertinent to note here that a supplementary

                    counter affidavit has been filed on 18.12.2024 on behalf of

                    Respondent No. 3-NHAI wherein it has been mentioned that the

                    project is likely to be completed on 15.03.2025. However, the

                    learned Senior Counsel appearing for the respondent-NHAI

                    submits that in the meantime the project has already been

                    completed. Learned Advocate General also submits that the
           Patna High Court CWJC No.2971 of 2022(14) dt.08-01-2026
                                                      3/3




                     project is complete.

                                 5. In view of such submission made, this writ petition

                     stands disposed of.



                                         (Sangam Kumar Sahoo, CJ)


                                                 (Ritesh Kumar, J)
P.K.P./-

U

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