Govt asks PWD engineers to inspect bridges with 'care'
Kolkata: Engineers of the state Public Works Department (PWD) were directed to carry out inspection of bridges with "care" by the state government.
It may be mentioned that as per inspections carried out in July, 20 bridges across the state were identified as "severely damaged".
Later, it was noticed during a monthly review meeting held on September 11 at Nabanna Sabhaghar that some more bridges also need to be inspected and included in the list of "severely damaged" ones. As a result, all executive engineers and superintendent engineers have been requested to inspect all the bridges under their jurisdiction.
At the same time, the zonal chief engineers have to inspect the 20 bridges that have already been identified as "severely damaged".
It has been stated in an order of the state PWD that "care should be taken while inspection and preparation of the list."
Moreover, a report in connection with the "health" of the bridges of Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) has been submitted at the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs department. Four bridges have been stated to be in good condition.
Sources said that Firhad Hakim, the state Urban Development and Municipal Affairs minister, will be visiting the rest of the bridges that are under KMDA's supervision, on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the state Finance department has issued a memorandum on the role of the Departmental Tender Committee.
The departments that deal with engineering works have already constituted their Department Tender Committees. Now all the departments will be having the same and the committee "shall be responsible for evaluation and recommendation of tender related works, including but not limited to scrutinising all the tender related documents to ascertain whether all the basic principles of public procurement have been followed and to ensure that the necessary formalities as per guidelines issued by the Finance department from time to time, have duly been observed by the Tender Inviting Authority."
