Highlighting the importance of rural connectivity in region’s overall progress and development, Chief Secretary emphasised on effective monitoring of projects on road-to-road basis to ensure their timely completion.
While appreciating last year’s progress, Chief Secretary directed the Department to complete 5300 kms PMGSY roads this year, of this 4600 kms is in Jammu province and 700 kms in Kashmir. He maintained that the Department must prioritize works which are free from any encumbrance viz- land acquisition, forest clearance, court cases, shifting of utilities and alike.
The Chief Secretary directed Principal Secretary to fix district wise targets for completing PMGSY roads and, further, impressed upon Deputy Commissioners to fortnightly review progress in light of their respective targets. “Officers must resolve petty and small issues at an earliest and ensure adherence to project timelines”, he added.
Moreover, the officers were asked to ensure availability of work force/ machinery and allow contractors to bring in migrant labour and equipment after observing the duly established protocols and standard operating procedures with respect to COVID -19 mitigation efforts.
The Chief Secretary directed completion of 2000 kms of ‘Black Topping’ works by 30th September, 2020, and 5000 kms by 31st, October, 2020. Warning officers against lackadaisical approach towards attaining respective targets, Chief Secretary maintained that strict action shall initiated against non- performing officers.
The Chief Secretary underscored the need of using ‘Green Technology’ in construction of roads under PMGSY, and directed Chief Engineers of both provinces to explore national markets for subject experts and executing agencies. He asked them to construct 2 roads per province as model roads which can set a benchmark for future projects.
Later, the Chief Secretary also chaired a meeting to review progress of various projects of National Highways Authority of India and National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd., and directed the agencies to strictly adhere to the project timelines, failing which strict actions will be initiated against the non-performers.