Tuesday, 11 July 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Dhami reviews progress of PWD & Forest department
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the officers of the Public Works Department (PWD) to make necessary arrangements for prompt reopening of the roads blocked due to rains in the State. He also told the department to conduct a survey of all old bridges in the State. The CM gave these orders while chairing a review of the PWD and Forest department on Monday. In the meeting, he checked the progress of these departments on the short, medium and long term goals to achieve the target of Shashakt Uttarakhand @25.
In the meeting the CM directed the officers of PWD to complete all the ongoing works of construction and repair of the roads within the stipulated period of time. He said that the responsibility of the officers should be fixed in the department. The CM asked the secretary of the department to provide the proposals needed to be sent to the government of India. The CM was informed that the PWD has taken a target of carpeting 3,000 kilometres length of roads and renovation works of 3,500 kilometres road length. The department would construct Dehradun, Haridwar, Rudrapur and Haldwani ring roads as part of its long term goals. The officers informed that 400 JCB machines are deployed in different parts of the State to keep the roads open and all of them are connected with the GIS network.
Reviewing the works of the Forest department, the CM directed that ongoing works under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) should be expedited. He said that it should be ensured that the money being received under the CAMPA is utilised in a proper manner. Dhami added that efforts should be made to use the forest wealth in augmenting the income of the people. Work in mission mode should be done to encourage medicinal plants, walnut and bamboo plantations. Efforts should be made to use Pirul (pine needles) for increasing the income of the people. The CM directed the officers of the forest department to undertake plantation of trees on a large scale on the occasion of Harela. Emphasising on public participation in the plantation drives, the CM said that cooperation of the social organisations and general public in these drives. Special focus on rejuvenation of water bodies and conservation should be done. The forest department should construct ponds for water conservation. The CM said that efforts should be made to reduce human- animal conflict.
The officers informed that eco tourism destinations are being developed by the department to double the economy and efforts are being done to make Van Panchayats self-reliant.
The meeting was attended by Forest minister Subodh Uniyal, additional chief secretary Radha Raturi, principal chief conservator of forests and head of forest force Anup Mallick, secretary Pankaj Kumar Pandey and others.
