Agencies from Delhi and Mumbai to examine health of state bridges
Kolkata: State Public Works Department (PWD) minister Aroop Biswas during his budget speech in the Assembly said that various agencies from Delhi and Mumbai have been assigned to examine the health status of various bridges across the state that are owned by the department.
While addressing the House, Biswas said that the agencies will carry out a detailed study on the bridges situated not only in the city but also in various districts.
The agencies will submit a report to the government after six months after the examination is over. On the basis of the report submitted by the expert agencies, the PWD will take up the steps to repair or renovate those bridges which become weaker with the passing of time.
The minister also criticized the erstwhile Left Front government for taking up maintenance issue properly. He also provided some data before the House to show how the Mamata Banerjee government increased the budgetary allocation for his department.
"In the last eight years of the Left Front regime the budgetary allocation remained around Rs 6,113 crore in the PWD out of which around Rs 3,498 had been spent. During the last financial year, the budgetary allocation remained at Rs 16,801 crore but the expenditure outnumbered the allotment. The PWD had spent Rs 20,565 crore which shows that money was spent out of planned budget," Biswas told the Assembly.
It may be mentioned that the PWD has created a bridge inspection and monitoring cell for ensuring proper health study of various bridges.
The department has also taken up a project of constructing 20 capacity passenger shelters at important junctions of state highways in every district. One cell has been created headed by one Executive Engineer for proper monitoring of complaints and suggestions received on a whatsapp number 9073362000.
The minister also mentioned that under 'Baitarani' scheme initiated by the state government the PED has taken up the construction of 402 more crematoriums and 20 electric furnaces are being constructed in various crematoriums.
