Union provide inadequate budget, now State Government to maintain National Highways

Bhopal: Public Works Minister Shri Nagendra Singh has said that adequate budget will be made available for maintenance of 1977 kilometer long National Highways which are under the supervision of the department. Shri Singh was reviewing progress of the National Highways maintained by the department and project implementation units here today. Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation Managing Director Shri Vivek Agrawal, Secretary Shri Vijay Singh Verma and other concerning officers were present on the occasion.

It was informed at the meeting that in view of allocation of inadequate budget by the Union Government, the State Government sanctioned Rs. 120 crore for keeping National Highways in good motorable condition. Similarly, Rs. 130 crore has been sanctioned last month fssor repair of National Highways. In addition to this sanction, an amount of Rs. 6 crore was also made available for Sidhi-Singrauli (NH-75) and Rs. 10 crore for Mandla-Chipli.

Shri Singh directed to initiate strict action against three contractors for not doing work as per agreement on Rewa-Sidhi-Singrauli Road. He also directed to remove shortage of field staff. Shri Singh instructed to ensure quality of work by using cent-percent material following examination as per prescribed norms.

The Public Works Minister said that contractors are responsible for guarantee period roads’ repairs. Strict action should be taken against those neglecting directives to this effect.

Shri Singh directed to implement new rate list (SOR) for National Highways. He instructed that list of performance guarantee under NHAI of the bad condition roads should be made available to the government within a week. Shri Singh assured to separate Rewa and Harda divisions from nine divisions of NH and PIU.

During review of PIUs progress, Public Works Minister Shri Singh directed to separate the construction works for which the department has not allotted land. PIUs are carrying out 2979 works of which land has not been allotted for 119 works. He directed that technical sanction should be given only after conducting site visits. Quality monitoring is necessary in building construction works also. For this, test material should be kept at each site.