Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar today stressed upon Engineers to focus on optimal utilization of available resources, based on latest technological interventions incorporated with ethnic wisdom while developing new structures in the state.The Minister said this during his visit to the Office of Chief Engineer, Designs, Inspection and Quality Control Department in Jammu.The Minister emphasized upon the need to develop quality and cost effective infrastructure in the state. He asked the Engineers to set a new trend in construction of buildings by introducing modern concepts of tapping solar energy and rain water harvesting to develop them as construction models for other agencies to follow. “The emphasis of the department is to make perfect designs and ensure quality in execution of works,” the Minister said, adding, the engineers have been directed to convert vacant land here into model landscape project.
He directed the Research Officer to conduct on-site testing of bitumen content, profile gradient, dimension thickness, impact value, grading of aggregates, crushing value density and other tests to ensure that quality material is used in execution of projects.He asked the Chief Engineer to organize workshops and refresher courses for engineers, besides sending them to Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) to familiarize them with latest trends in building science and technology.While inspecting various wings of the Department, the Minister stressed for maintaining cleanliness in the offices and take up maintenance works from time to time.The Minister called for procurement of machine that detects and repairs potholes faster than the conventional methods as it can prove helpful in snow bound areas.Commissioner Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Sanjeev Verma, Chief Engineer, Designs, Inspection and Quality Control Rajeev Gandotra, Executive Engineers, Research Officer and other engineers were present on the occasion.