Project Director, NHAI Vs. Chhota Ram & Anr. OMP(M) No.10 of 2025 04.06.2025 Present: Mr. Sumeet Raj Sharma, Advocate, for the petitioner. None appeared for respondent No.1 Mr. Hemant K. Verma, Deputy Advocate General for respondent No.2. OMP(M) No.10 of 2025 Despite service, none had appeared for respondent No.1 on 26.05.2025. Even today, there is no appearance for respondent No.1. It appears that the said respondent does not intend to contest the application. There is a delay of 179 days in filing the appeal under Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The delay has been attributed to the time consumed in processing the file through official channels. The application is duly supported by an affidavit sworn by the Project Director, NHAI, PIU Mandi, District Mandi, H.P., who is in-charge of the concerned project. Thus, there is nothing on record to suggest that the averments made in the application are not correct. Accordingly, the application is allowed. Delay in filing the appeal is condoned. Application stands disposed of. Appeal No._______of 2025 Be registered. Notice be issued to respondent No.1, returnable on 07.08.2025. Steps be taken within a week. OMP No._______of 2025 Be registered. Notice in the aforesaid terms. In the meanwhile, the operation of impugned judgment dated 05.07.2024 shall remain stayed, subject to the appellant depositing entire award amount in the Registry of this Court within eight weeks. (Satyen Vaidya) Judge 4th June, 2025 (rupsi)