To boost connectivity, Minister for Public Works and Culture, Naeem Akhtar, today said the State Government will be testing new technologies of road macadamisation in unserviceable area of Jammu and Kashmir where the traditional hot-mix plants are not available.“New technologies like cold mix can solve the problems of road connectivity in far-flung area of the state where lack of road connectivity and other factors like cold temperatures often delay the construction and maintenance of roads,” Akhtar, said at a meeting of PWD here today.“Keeping this in mind, we will go ahead with testing the new technologies on a pilot basis in parts of Bani, Gurez, Doda and other far-flung areas of the state where the option of hot-mix plants is not feasible due to geographical difficulties and other factors,” he said. The Works Minister asked the officers that the tenders for macadamising 10-km road length each in Bani and Gurez must be floated by June 10 under new technology so that the work can be taken up at the earliest under various centrally sponsored schemes.“Many states like Assam have successfully utilized the new technologies which are environment-friendly as well.
In areas where there are no hot-mix plants, road macadamisation must be undertaken using the traditional methods so that the funds sanctioned under different schemes don’t get lapsed,” he said.The Works Minister said the cold-mix technology in road macadamisation fosters sustainable development and harnesses the socio-economic and environmental benefits for rural areas. “Using environmental-friendly technologies will also ensure protection for our fragile environment which will secure the future of our coming generations,” he said.During the meeting, Akhtar urged the officers to speed up work under Central Road Fund and other schemes meant for improving connectivity in the state, “When money is available, I don’t understand why we sit on decision-making which leads to lapse of funds,” he said.Taking strong note of some officers of the Public Works Department who don’t furnish ‘Work Done’ report at the end of every month, the Minister ordered withdrawal of DDO Powers of Senior Engineers of Baramulla and Bandipora circles. He said similar action will be taken against those officers who don’t comply with the rules and regulations laid down under the law.The meeting was also attended by Commissioner Secretary, Sanjeev Verma, Chief Engineer R&B, Kashmir, Nisar Ahmad Bhat, Chief Engineer, PMGSY Jammu, SP Manhas, SEs of Doda, Jammu and Leh circles and other officers of Works Department attended the meeting.