Speed up work allocation process: HP CM

In a bid to give momentum to the developmental projects in Himachal Pradesh, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday said formalities regarding allocation of road and bridge projects should be completed within a stipulated time period so that the works could be allocated within 51 days. 

Presiding over a review meeting of State Public Works Department here, the Chief Minister said that e-tendering must be ensured for speeding up the process of allocation of projects. This would not only ensure transparency in allotment of projects, but also expedite process on awarding the works, he added.

Thakur said proper coordination between Public Works, Revenue and Forests Departments is required for speedy clearance from Forests department. For this, pro-active approach and personal interest was required, he added. "It has been felt that delay in Forest clearances was one of the major bottlenecks for starting of different road and bridge projects. The Government would also take up the matter with the Union Government to expedite forest clearances so that road connectivity to left out habitations and villages could be ensured," he added. 

The CM said regular monitoring and inspection of roads and bridges constructed particularly under NABARD, Central Road Fund etc. must be ensured so that quality work could be done. He said that for this, standard quality parameters should be laid down.

He said that the responsibility of the defaulters must be fixed and strict action taken against them, adding that laxity of any kind would not be tolerated and strict action would be taken against the defaulters.

The Chief Minister said that the State government has setup a target of construction of 600 kms new motorable roads, providing cross drainage facilities on 750 kms road length, metalling and tarring of 1100 kms roads, construction of 35 bridges and providing road connectivity to 40 villages during the current financial year.

He also asked the officers of Public Works Department to identify black spots during the construction of roads so that possibility of road accidents could be minimized.  "Out of 90 black spots identified in the State, 58 had been rectified and work on remaining black spots was in progress," he added.

He said that out of the 69 new National Highways of total length of 4312 kms, letter of acceptance has been issued in respect of 53 National Highways and tender based estimates regarding five national highways has been sent to Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways.

Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Nanda and Engineer-in-Chief R.P Verma also spoke in the meeting.