Expressing dissatisfaction over the inordinate delay in completing the two packages of works pertaining to the expansion of the National Highway-216, Special Chief Secretary to the government (Roads and Buildings Department) Neerabh Kumar Prasad on Wednesday asked the contracting agencies to show progress in the works by the end of November.

After inspecting the works in progress, he convened a review meeting with district Collector Kartikeya Misra, officials from the Roads and Buildings Department and the National Highways Authority of India and representatives of the contracting works that were taking up the works.

Observing that only 35% of works were completed under the package-3, whereas the same was less than 10% under the package-4, Mr. Prasad said that the delay was resulting in frequent road accidents on the route and seven accidents were reported in the recent past. He observed that caution boards were not arranged in places where the works were in progress.

Monsoon and floods

As he sought explanation from the contracting firms, the representatives cited monsoon and the floods in the Godavari, besides facing objections from the residents in some parts with regard to the road alignment.

Assuring them that issues with the residents would be resolved by the district administration, Mr. Prasad asked the firms to speed up the works and warned that action would be initiated against the firms in the event of failing to complete the works as per the schedule. Chief Engineer of the R&B department Somasekhar, SE Vijay Kumar and other officials were present.