Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday ordered to issue showcase notice against contractor and withholding his payments after detecting irregularities in the construction of Reetkheri Link Road in Patiala district.
The Chief Minister who conducted surprise inspection of the under construction road was miffed over non compliance of stipulated weight parameters in the construction of the road after sampling of road was done. He asked the officers to showcase the contractor constructing the road and hold his payments with immediate effect. Bhagwant Singh Mann also inspected under construction Patiala Sirhind Road in Patiala district and asked the officers to get the samples of the road checked from laboratory adding he also checked Rurki to Reona plan road in Fatehgarh Sahib district.
The Chief Minister said that the motive of checking these under construction roads is to check the quality of roads being constructed across the state. He said that since a huge sum of amount is being spent by the state government so this drive has been started to ensure that high quality roads are constructed in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he will continue this surprise check in coming days too as he is duty bound to ensure that public money is utilised in a proper manner.
The Chief Minister said that the random checking has been done to ensure that the roads are constructed properly with the best material by optimum utilisation of the resources. He said that all the concerned departments have been asked to ensure proper coordination so that all the work in terms of laying of sewerage lines, drinking water pipes, fibre and others are done well before the construction of roads. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this will ensure minimum damage to the newly constructed roads across the state thereby ensuring the judicious use of the public money.
Making a fervent appeal to people, the Chief Minister urged them to personally monitor the ongoing work on the construction of roads as it is their property. He said that the general public should oversee this work and bring any sort of irregularity, if any, in the notice of the state government. Bhagwant Singh Mann assured severest of severe action against the erring contractors, undertaking the work.
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the state government has embarked on the biggest road construction work taken up in the history of the state targeting to construct 44,920 KMs of roads with a total cost of Rs 16,209 Crore. He said that by the end of next year, the state government will build a total of 44,920 KMs of roads across all villages, towns and cities of Punjab at a total cost of Rs 16,209 Crore. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these roads will all be with the five years maintenance clause ensuring highest quality standards along with the world class road safety features.
The Chief Minister said that the move is aimed to provide better mobility and boost rural infrastructure in the state adding that the state government has already undertaken construction of 19,373 KMs of Rural Link Roads with a total cost of Rs 4092 crore. He said that as the state government toiled hard on this project, as the unprecedented devastation caused by the floods this year had eroded the connectivity and mobility in affected areas. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the ongoing road projects envisaged with a path breaking five years maintenance clause in the contract to ensure longevity and quality along with world class safety standards like luminous lane and edge markings, signages and others.
The Chief Minister said that always committed to serve the people of Punjab, the state Government has undertaken an extensive exercise involving multiple agencies to include PMB, PWD, Urban Local Bodies and Public representatives. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that henceforth the state government carried out an extremely detailed survey of all roads in Punjab, shortlisted those needing repairs, widening or upgradation. He said that now the state government has targeted to construct 44,920 KMs of roads with a total cost of Rs 16,209 crore by the end of next year.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Chief Minister’s Flying Squad is continuously monitoring the quality of roads, and after receiving several complaints about the use of substandard material, contracts of some contractors have been cancelled. The Chief Minister cautioned that if any contractor is found involved in poor-quality work or if any employee is part of it, strict action will be taken against them. He said that the state government is committed to ensure optimum utilization of the taxpayers money and no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause.
