Stressing the need for keeping a tab on the movement of heavily loaded vehicles, as there was every possibility of the roads getting damaged due to the overweight, Roads and Buildings Minister Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu on Friday said that the roads being laid by the department could only bear a maximum vehicle weight of 20 tonnes.
“Of late, we have observed that some vehicles carrying freight weighing about 40 tonnes are moving on the roads. This overweight caused dents and damage to the roads,” he said while addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation stone for a road stretch between Rayavaram and S. Pydipala villages at an estimated outlay of ₹14 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister expressed concern over the frequent complaints from the public on the bad condition of the roads and highlighted the need for monitoring vehicular movement.
Referring to the recent project of laying 25,000 km of cement concrete roads in the State to connect remote villages with nearby towns and cities, Mr. Patrudu said it was the first of its kind project in the country. Referring to the funds earmarked for improving the road network in the State, he said that plans were afoot to release about ₹2,000 crore very soon, in which, he promised to sanction ₹25 crore to improve the roads in the Prattipadu Assembly constituency.
Home Minister N. Chinarajappa said that top priority was accorded to improving the road network in the State and every village would be covered under the project.
Zilla Parishad chairman Jyothula Naveen Kumar and Prattipadu MLA Varupula Subba Rao were present.