Repair service lanes before Puja: Chief secy to PWD-R

Guwahati: Assam chief secretary Ravi Kota has instructed the Public Works Department (Roads) to ensure that all service lanes along roads where flyovers are under construction are free of potholes before Durga Puja. The move aims to ensure smooth traffic flow amid the Puja rush.
Two flyovers are under construction in the city — one connecting Noonmati with Ambari and the other connecting the Cycle Factory area with Lal Ganesh.
Kota, who held a review meeting with the road-owning agency and other departments on Sunday evening, also directed the agency to engage additional manpower for the expeditious completion of work before Wednesday. He also asked it to assign a permanent team of engineers to supervise the work.
The CS said the violations by contractors in maintaining the service lanes at places where flyover construction is underway will be penalised in accordance with existing provisions.
Kota directed the authorities concerned to immediately repair all potholes, including those in the Ulubari flyover area. Incidentally, the potholes in the Ulubari area, particularly those on the Lachit Nagar end of the Ulubari flyover, were repaired using paved blocks by the authorities overnight.
Police have been directed to make alternative traffic arrangements at ongoing flyover construction sites to handle the festive rush efficiently.
On the other hand, Guwahati Utilities Company Limited and Guwahati Smart City Limited have been directed to identify the dark spots along the key roads of the city and install street lights.
Guwahati Jal Board, Water Board and Guwahati Municipal Corporation have been directed to ensure uninterrupted services, address leakages in water pipelines, deploy additional manpower for road repairs and ensure cleanliness at Puja pandals and ghats.