PWD directs its engineers to repair all potholes

Kolkata: The state Public Works Department (PWD) has directed all its engineers for immediate repair of potholes on roads that are maintained by the PWD. The instruction comes in the wake of state Police Authority bringing it to the notice of the state government that some road accidents with fatalities have occurred due to potholes of ditches on roads.

"If any potholes appear, the concerned executive engineer should take immediate steps to repair the potholes. Normally the maximum time from the formation of potholes to its repair should not take more than seven days. In the interim, the damaged portion should be suitably marked and warning signs for motorists must be placed before the damaged portion. Repairing should be treated as an emergency work," states the circular undersigned by Arnab Roy, Principal Secretary of the state PWD department.

The junior engineers have been directed to inspect the road fortnightly throughout the year. During monsoons the inspection should be carried out weekly. He should report on the formation of potholes to his superior officers immediately after inspection. He should maintain a register which may be periodically checked by higher officials.

"Concerned superintending engineers and executive engineers should take immediate action against the agencies whose works are under Defect Liability Period (DLP).

"If the concerned agency does not take up the repair work, the same should be carried out by engaging other agencies," a senior official of the state PWD department said.

The expense should be met from the security deposit or other amount kept with the PWD department itself.

The expense of the repair work should be taken from the Departmental Administrative Expenditure Head of Account. The construction division should keep certain percentage of their normal administrative expenditure allocated for this purpose at the beginning of every year.