State directs engineers to mend roads before monsoons

Kolkata: The state Public Works Department has instructed all its field level engineers to take suitable measures for repair of roads ahead of the monsoon season that usually begins from June.

The department wants to ensure that all potholes or damages in roads are repaired before the monsoon so that daily commuters and vehicular traffic face no trouble.

A circular issued by state Principal Secretary, PWD Arnab Roy directs all field level engineer officers to inspect the roads under their jurisdiction thoroughly during this month and take measures in repair of roads.

The concerned executive engineer has been instructed to inform the headquarter chief engineer about the condition of the existing roads.

"The concerned executive engineers have also been instructed to send action taken report for poor condition of roads to the concerned superintending engineer who will send consolidated report to the chief engineers of his zone and the latter will send the same to the concerned headquarter chief engineer," a senior official of the department said.

Roy has also prodded the department to take immediate action against an agency as per contract agreement if the road is found to be in poor condition under defect liability period.

The circular further directs all field level engineer offices of the department to be alert so that there should not be any damage in the roads under PWD.

"If it is found that roads are in damaged condition and no action has been taken for repair, necessary disciplinary action may be taken against the errant officers," the circular mentions.

The superintending engineers have been requested to monitor the matter and submit report on fortnightly basis to the respective zonal chief engineer in respect of condition of roads under their jurisdiction. Zonal chief engineers have been directed to send consolidated report to the department through respective headquarter chief engineer every fortnight till the end of September 2019.

State Principal Secretary, PWD, Arnab Roy had instructed his engineers a few months back to immediately repair roads. The junior engineers were also directed to inspect the roads fortnightly throughout the year and weekly during monsoon period.

The concerned engineer was asked to report on the condition of potholes to his superior officers after inspection. He was directed to maintain a register, which may be periodically checked by higher officials.