Sunday, 29 January 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) that steps should be taken to address subsidence of road and landslide complaints while providing regular reports to the State government considering the Char Dham Yatra to be started in about three months. The Public Works and Tourism minister Satpal Maharaj issued this direction while chairing a review meeting with officials of PWD here on Saturday.
Addressing the departmental officials and district magistrates attending the meeting virtually, the minister said that all preparations should be completed on time before the start of the Yatra to ensure that the pilgrimage is facilitated efficiently without any disruption. The minister stressed on the need for groundsmen considering road blockages in the mountainous regions and better maintenance of the roads. He said that groundsmen should be appointed immediately and that the vacant posts in the department should also be filled without delay.
Maharaj directed the officials that the reconstruction of roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters should be undertaken soon. Discussing the land subsidence in Joshimath and the condition of Marwadi and Helang bypass, the minister said that the condition of all the bypass roads on the Char Dham Yatra circuit should be improved. He further advised the officials to use the latest technology instead of relying on the use of explosives for construction of new roads.
The minister further ordered that money should be released immediately for maintenance of roads transferred from Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana to the PWD, adding that the maintenance work of such roads should be undertaken on a priority basis. Maharaj also suggested that the officials should check the possibility of a mobile phone application as used in Gujarat for making the roads free of potholes and ensuring maintenance work at a swift pace. The PWD principal secretary RK Sudhanshu, chief engineer Ayaz Ahmed and other officials were also present in the meeting.
