The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : YSR for improvement in quality of road works

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 07, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

YSR for improvement in quality of road works

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JAN. 6. The Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on Thursday emphasised the need to improve the quality of road works and hinted at involving a third party to monitor this important aspect.

Inaugurating a workshop on "Draft road policy and maintenance of roads" here, Dr. Reddy said the Government had received several complaints about the quality of work. "A good road can save a lot of time for the people and they can use it for productive work."

Referring to the department's proposal to raise the period of maintenance of roads by contractors to five years including two years of defect liability, he wanted it not to go blindly by what was followed in foreign countries. Instead, the department should evolve parameters in consultation with contractors and builders on closely monitoring the works.

Suggests fly ash

"Officials and the contractors should realise that the money spent by the Government comes from the sweat and toil of the people. If we do not use it properly and for their well being, it will be a criminal and sinful act."

Dr. Reddy said he was also not keen on imposing restrictions on plying of 20 tonne lorries carrying cement and other heavy goods and wanted the department to lay roads that could withstand such loads. He suggested extensive use of fly ash, in laying roads.

The Roads and Buildings Minister, J. Ramamohana Rao, said the draft road policy had proposals like transparency entailing the department to organise public awareness programmes for all works above Rs. 10 lakhs, levy of penalty on encroachments, surprise visits by a special officer to monitor works and creation of special fund for repair of roads in areas where lorries carry heavy loads.

Binoy Kumar, Secretary, Roads and Buildings, said an action plan would be prepared after the workshop.

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