Poor condition of roads: Govt seeks report over macdamisation of roads in last 3 years
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir administration has directed the officials of Roads and Buildings Department to prepare a report on the macadamization of roads done in the past three years.
Official sources told news agency KINS that the government has taken note of the condition of roads in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Chief Engineers have been directed to prepare the report on macadamization of roads done in the past three years under all sectors along with road length achieved and road wise status and action was taken by XENs on DLP damaged roads,” sources maintained.
Whereas, all the Chief Engineers of Jammu / Kashmir, Public Works (R&B) Department will categorize the road length as Inter-District Roads, Major Roads, District Roads, Rural Roads, Local Roads etc along with their name, length, width, year & month of construction, life span, last renewal coat is done and exact geographical location.
Sources said that the Government has observed a regular audit of the roads for their proper and timely maintenance which include all works of routine maintenance/ repair, periodic maintenance, road rehabilitation including pavements, drainage, potholes repair and also maintenance of emergency nature.
Sources said that the government has also issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for maintenance of roads across the Union Territory.
As per the official data, presently Public Works (R&B) Department maintains a road length of more than forty thousand kilometres, created under the various developmental programmes across the UT, out of which road length of 23654 kilometres is blacktopped.
In this regard, an order has been issued by Shailendra Kumar, Principal Secretary to Govt. Public Works (R&B) Department.
“It has been strongly felt to have a regular audit of the roads for their proper and timely maintenance which include all works of routine maintenance, periodic maintenance, road rehabilitation including pavement repair, drainage repair, potholes and also emergency maintenance”, the order reads.
“While to streamline the procedure for the maintenance of the roads, the standard mechanisms have been put forth in the shape of SOPS”, it added.
“Data collected from the surveys shall be scrutinized, analyzed and estimates should be prepared and forwarded to Chief Engineer through the proper procedure for immediate necessary action. The result of the entire road stretch survey under the Jurisdiction of each Sub Division should be provided to the Executive Engineer by every 25th instant otherwise disciplinary action is initiated”, the order reads.
Further, the concerned Sub Divisions will make a survey regarding cleaning and desilting roadside drain, gutter constructed by PWD causing a hazard to traffic movement and will do the job immediately after locating the problem. This exercise shall be done at least thrice a year in the month of February, May & June, August & September and as and when required.
“Maintenance of Road Register containing an inventory of road with surface status on completion of construction, up-gradation of road proposal for renewal coat be submitted to Chief Engineer for appropriate action. Review of routine inspection for identification of defects/damages and performance evaluation by in charge Engineer bi-monthly”, the SOP reads.
“The road workers will immediately report the road breach/blockade to concerned AEE / XEN for immediate attention. The report will include the Name of road, Location/type of breach/blockade, it’s surface area, Date and time of occurrence, Assessment of assistance in the form of men and material required, immediate the procedure should be followed for smooth flow of traffic to prevent any jamming/accidents”, it added.
“The Superintending Engineer shall hold a review meeting with its divisional/sub-divisional officers before the 25th instant of every month and send his report to Chief Engineer PWD by 30th of the same month”, it added.
It added that road workers, Works supervisors and Junior Engineers will immediately report to higher authorities regarding violation of RD Act if any notice. The field staff will immediately inform the authority about the road accident with the exact location and brief reasons and time. The circular instructions are issued for strict compliance by all concerned.
“Immediate removal of site dumping material after the construction is over to keep the road free from all impediments without which no bill to be prepared and payments to be made. A certificate from the contractor and site engineer be appended with Measurement Book. Removal of encroachment should be carried out around the year”, the SOP reads. (KINS)