All the formalities regarding allocation of road and bridge projects should be completed within a stipulated time period so that the works could be allocated within 51 days to concerned executing agencies.This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the review meeting of State Public Works Department here today.The Chief Minister said that e-tendering must be ensured for speeding up the process of allocation of projects. This would not only ensure transparency in allotment of projects, but also expedite process on awarding the works, he added.Jai Ram Thakur said that proper coordination between Public Works, Revenue and Forests Departments is required for speedy clearance from Forests department. For this, pro-active approach and personal interest was required, he added. He said that it has been felt that delay in Forest clearances was one of the major bottlenecks for starting of different road and bridge projects. He said that the Government would also take up the matter with the Union Government to expedite forest clearances so that road connectivity to left out habitations and villages could be ensured.Jai Ram Thakur said that regular monitoring and inspection of roads and bridges constructed particularly under NABARD, Central Road Fund etc. must be ensured so that quality work could be done. He said that for this, standard quality parameters should be laid down. He said that the responsibility of the defaulters must be fixed and strict action taken against the person.He said that civil and electrical works should be carried out simultaneously for ensuring timely completion of projects.
He said that laxity of any kind would not be tolerated and strict action would be taken against the defaulters. The Chief Minister said that the State government has setup a target of construction of 600 kms new motorable roads, providing cross drainage facilities on 750 kms road length, metalling and tarring of 1100 kms roads, construction of 35 bridges and providing road connectivity to 40 villages during the current financial year.Jai Ram Thakur said that work should be expedited on ongoing projects under PMGSY as this was the major scheme, a brainchild of the former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, that has ensured road connectivity to the villages in the country. He said that target has been fixed to execute 414 works with a total length of 2400 kms, under PMGSY with an outlay of Rs 600 crore during the current financial year. He said that on completion, 150 habitations would be connected with roads. Similarly, target has been fixed to complete 209 works under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)-NABARD, which include 77 works in Shimla zone, 20 in Mandi Zone, 70 in Kangra zone and 4 in Hamirpur Zone.Chief Minister asked the officers of Public Works Department to identify black spots during the construction of roads so that possibility of road accidents could be minimized. He said that out of 90 black spots identified in the State, 58 had been rectified and work on remaining black spots was in progress.
He said that out of the 69 new National Highways of total length of 4312 kms, letter of acceptance has been issued in respect of 53 National Highways and tender based estimates regarding five national highways has been sent to Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways.Jai Ram Thakur said that State Government has allocated Rs. 200 crore for maintenance and repair of roads in the State besides Rs. 50 crore additionality for providing drainage facilities on the roads. He directed the officers of the department to ensure time bound completion of metalling, tarring works keeping in view the limited working season for the same. Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Nanda while welcoming the Chief Minister said that being a hilly State, roads were the main mode of transportation. She said that 34394 officers and officials were working in the Public Works Department and were serving their best to ensure best road connectivity to the people of the State. She said that we have to update our self by new technology, new initiatives and new vigour. She said that efforts would be made to make buildings and bridges more safe and user friendly. She said that special focus should be made for ensuring quality in construction. She also urged for providing training to the employees serving in the Rest Houses by HPTDC so that they could serve in a professional manner.Engineer-in-Chief R.P Verma gave detailed power point presentation on the occasion. He said the State today has total 35638 kms of roads providing road connectivity to the remotest part of the State.Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Shrikant Baldi, Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers and other officers of the Public Works Department attended the meeting.