Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya stressed on the use of latest technology for construction of roads and claimed that the road network in Uttar Pradesh would soon become the country’s best. He directed that the bvudget of the PWD be used within the first six months of the fiscal so that development was visible.
“Use latest technology as it would improve quality of construction, is cost effective and with enhanced durability,” Maurya said adding that separate Apps have been launched to make the department transparent and also encourage public participation in ensuring quality.
Talking to media persons after addressing engineers and contractors of the PWD and Nirman Nigam in lucknow, Maurya said that roads and bridges were the backbone of development and all focus should be on constructing good roads and bridges.
The minister also launched two applications. The `Chankya App’ was launched for e-tendering, e-billing, e-payments and other online facilities while ‘Vishwakarma App’ was luanched for better monitoring.
Maurya said that another one -`Baaz App’ was also being launched to keep a tab on the condition and maintenance of roads in the state through satellite and action would be taken for laxity in maintainance.
Asking engineers and contractors to brace for constructing 15,000 kilometers of roads this fiscal, Maurya said that besides new roads, over 8600 kms road would be repaired including state highways and district roads.
The Deputy CM also announced that 700 kms of roads have been made pothole free in the state.
Announcing that efficient engineers, officials and contractors would be awarded for exemplary work, the minister said that by using new technology, roads can be constructed during monsoon too. He announced that all roads would be linked to villages falling within 5-km radius of national or state highways.
The minister said that Principal Secretary (PWD) Sanjay Agarwal will visit Delhi to attend a meeting of `Bharatmala’ project and hoped that 2400 kilometres of new roads will be laid in the state.
Claiming that there were no scrcity of funds for project in UP, Maurya said that funds have already being sanctioned with direction that the entire budget be exhausted to expedite work.
“The budgetary grants should be used within six months so that development should not be just visible but more funds could be sought from the government,” he asserted.
Maurya also made it clear to Bruidge Corporation engineers that at reports of all projects in the state be submitted by June 15 after phtyioscal inspection of bridges and not merely on paper.
For ensuring transparency and feedback, Maurya provided a Whattsapp number 7991995566 and said that anyone having any complaint over poor construction of roads or maintenance could upload picture with details and grievances would be attended immediately.