Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 15: The lackadaisical approach of the Public Works (Road and Building) Department can be gauged from the fact that it executed over six road projects under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna in two districts without constructing connecting minor bridges.
Sources told Early Times that unplanned construction of roads has defeated the purpose of providing all weather road connectivity in rural areas.
According to Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna guidelines providing all weather roads with necessary culverts and cross drainage structures, which are operable throughout the year, are mandatory.
“The department had to provide minor bridges of single lane specification wherever necessary between these road projects. It was mentioned in the guidelines that in case the length of individual bridges exceeds 15 meters, a separate Detailed Project Report had to be prepared after site inspection by the expert team,” they said.
They said that it was observed that road projects in Udhampur District, including Kud to Madha-12 km, Barmen to Satyaltha Khas-7 km, Barmen to Dharnoo-14 km, Mansar to Sourap-4.5 km, Dhar road to Plater-3.8 km while in District Rajouri road project from Khawas to Bela-10 km were completed three years ago and crores were spent on the construction of these roads. But these roads didn’t serve the purpose of all weather road connectivity to proposed habitations.
The Executive Engineer when contacted, said that the construction of some bridges is in progress and DPRs are under approval and will be completed very soon. |
