Cuttack, July 13: A CPM MLA has filed a PIL in Orissa High Court seeking direction to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to complete construction of the 114-km stretch of national highway between Rajamunda and Rengalbeda in Sundargarh district which had started six years ago but has "come to a standstill" for unknown reasons.

The PIL seeks direction to NHAI to start and complete "in a time bound manner" the construction of the stretch of NH 215/520 which is the only link between Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Jajpur districts.

The petition, filed by Bonai CPM MLA Laxman Munda, mentioned that the old road, culverts and bridges on the stretch of the highway were "entirely dug out" for construction of the new road, but "no construction has been done", adding misery to the life of the commuters and local residents.

Munda has filed the petition along with ten others including chairman of panchayat samitis and sarpanchs.

Munda said he has moved the PIL as his communication to the Prime Minister and the chief minister seeking to draw attention to the inconvenience caused to the public due to the halt in road construction did not yield any result.

After a preliminary hearing yesterday, the division bench of Chief Justice Vineet Saran and Justice B.R. Sarangi issued notice to the NHAI and state government. The court expected the respondents to file their replies before the matter is taken up after two weeks.