Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has given a strict order to the Public Works Department to make sure that they clean up all roads within the state by October 31. The order is timed when the festive season is near, and the road conditions in the country, especially after the monsoon, have been subject to frequent protests by the people.
The Chief Minister, who chaired a review meeting with the top officials, pointed out that road repairing should be among the top priorities. He replied that we cannot afford poor work and laziness, and he demanded that the work being done must be lasting and not piecework. He also instructed the authorities to do weekly progress visits and to pay special attention to areas of the road that are found to be the most complained about by the people. The Chief Minister emphasized that the citizens were to see a tangible difference in the road network in the state by Diwali.
Stating the significance of accountability, the Chief Minister said that the departments are to cooperate, which will accelerate the process of repair. He threatened not to spare officials who would be lax in enforcement. It has been instructed to follow special instructions that guarantee quality standards to make sure that the roads being repaired do not end up rotting soon after the season of rains.
The government is eager to accomplish this monumental task despite a number of obstacles. The topography and remote location of Uttarakhand also tend to slow repair responses, and the weather patterns can add to the problem. The Chief Minister has, however, clarified that no excuses will be tolerated and all the districts will have to work hard to beat the deadline.
Poor roads in the state have been of significance to the state since the monsoons cause potholes and damage roads in the state. As the season approaches with festivities and tourists, and pilgrims, smooth roads are a necessity for both safety standards and comfort. It is the conviction of the government that a pothole-free campaign is not only going to bring relief to the everyday commuters but will also boost confidence in its infrastructure development programme.
Repair and maintenance work is likely to increase throughout Uttarakhand as the month of October progresses. People will be anxiously anticipating whether the promise of pothole-free roads is to materialize, and whether the October 31 deadline will lead to a tangible change to the state roads.
