PWD minister sets month-end deadline for repairing roads
NEW DELHI: Delhi’s public works department (PWD) minister Satyendar Jain has set a timeline for repairing roads across the city and directed officials to make all roads, which are managed by the department, free of potholes by the end of the month.
He also said an action-taken report should be submitted to the office of the PWD engineerin-chief by December 13 after conducting post-repair field inspections.
The PWD manages 1,260km of roads across the national capital.
Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had last week ordered the PWD secretary to repair all roads by December 15.
The PWD officials said during inspections, general problems noticed on roads were not only limited to potholes — it also included the condition of footpaths and streetlights, among others.
“The shortcomings included potholes, uneven road surface, road digging by various utility departments, non-functional streetlights and lifts at foot overbridges (Fobs), improper management of footpaths and subways, and unpruned trees,” a PWD official, on condition of anonymity, said.
The officials said the minister has widened the domain of road repair and directed engineers to address all road-related problems, be it repair or improvement of street furniture.
According to a circular issued by the department, executive engineers should ensure “all shortcomings on various road stretches be attended” by November 30 and certificates submitted after inspections by December 5.
“Executive engineers are requested to check roads for strengthening. The minister has directed that the target fixed by the CM be strictly adhered with… action will be initiated against officials concerned if non-compliance is observed,” the circular said.
The circular also directed that hoardings displaying messages such as “Dilli Sarkar Apki Sarkar” and “PWD at work” should also be fixed at various locations to highlight the timebound action taken by the department.
In the meeting, Jain also pointed out shortcomings such as quality of work and improper thickness of t hermoplastic paint.
He directed the executive engineers to ensure proper quality of work.
In an order on November 13, Kejriwal had said the PWD secretary should give a certificate on December 15 that all PWD roads have been repaired. Thereafter, several teams of citizens would be inspecting these roads on December 16. Each team will be headed by an MLA.