Taking stern view of delayed projects, Sisodia tells PWD to expedite road repairs

According to officials, he has given timelines with specific dates for each project — pothole repairs by March 17; re-laying or re-carpeting and preparation of notice inviting tenders for work that has received administrative approval by March 15; and patchwork by March 31 — and directed the department to complete it by then. Some officials, on condition of anonymity, said the government is pushing to complete all repairs ahead of the upcoming municipal elections.

Sisodia was given charge of the department on February 24. Earlier, the portfolio was handled by Satyendar Jain.

Sources in the Delhi government said Sisodia took charge as several projects such as the Ashram underpass and flyover, as well as the streetscaping of roads, were severely delayed.

“One of this government’s most ambitious projects is CM Arvind Kejriwal’s plan to redevelop Delhi roads to comply with European standards, but that’s yet to take off. There have also been some complaints of sub-standard road infrastructure and traffic snarls due to ongoing construction work,” said a senior official.

Under the streetscaping project, seven most congested stretches were selected on a pilot basis in 2018, and the roads were slated to be revamped in a year. The project has missed several deadlines, and Sisodia is learnt to have asked officials to complete it by June 30.

The department has also been directed to prepare estimates for administrative approval of roads that are due for re-carpeting and strengthening by April 30. “The minister is personally monitoring work. To take stock of ground reality, he said he will visit and inspect sites. Following the directions, the department has asked all engineers concerned to take action to meet deadlines. If any discrepancies are found during inspection, field staff and the agency concerned will be held accountable,” a senior official informed.

The engineer-in-chief has also been directed to set up a WhatsApp group to track and closely monitor work. All engineers concerned will have to visit the site and send at least three pictures of the ongoing work in which they are also visible.

The department has also been directed to be prepared for the monsoon to stem waterlogging, and officials concerned have been asked to pay special attention to “hotspots”. “All desilting and cleaning should be done by May 31. Engineers concerned will monitor these in person and take immediate action for any slackness found,” the PWD order read.

Besides Sisodia, newly appointed PWD secretary Nikhil Kumar is also looking into delayed projects every day. “All staff and engineers have been asked to inspect sites daily,” said another PWD official.