SHILLONG: Concerned over the large number of pending bridges and roads, Opposition leader Dr Donkupar Roy suggested on the need to create a corpus fund in the PWD to meet the demand of funds during emergency.
“The Government can allocate funds for any major project through the corpus funds in case of delay in the release of the funds from the Centre. This will ensure the timely implementation of the project and also improve the overall inefficiency of the department,” Dr Roy said while moving a cut motion in the Assembly on Monday.
He said that the total funds which were released for any particular project can again be refunded in the corpus funds once the State Government received the funds from the Centre.
The Opposition leader also raised the issue of the failure of the Government to implement the construction of the major bridges in the State.
He made a reference over to the Shella and Dawki Bridge which was pending for a long time.
Dr Roy also raised the issue about the non-completion of many of the road projects due to failure of the Government to construct the minor bridges.
“I have personally come across quite of number of such road projects where the minor bridges are yet to be constructed. I would like the department to clarify its stand whether they have decided to abandon the road project by not constructing bridges,” Opposition leader said even as suggesting that the department can consider the possibilities of setting up of the separate cell for construction of the bridge.
He also said that the failure of the Government to timely repair the roads across the State on a regular basis has put the general public in lots of difficulties.
“There are many roads which remain unrepaired for many years,” Dr Roy said.
In reply, PWD Minister Sniawbhlang Dhar said that it is true that the constructions of many of the major bridges are lying pending.
“We would try to complete the construction of the project depending on the availability of funds,” he said while also informing that the tender for the Shella Bridge has already been called.
He however said that the department examine on the viability of setting up of a separate bridge cell.
Meanwhile, he informed that the Ministry of Road Surface and Transport has allowed the department to re-tender the construction of the Dawki bridge. “We could not allot the work since the firm who bid for the project had quoted a very high rate,” PWD Minister said.
Dhar however was silent on the creation of the corpus fund.