Guwahati, June 14 /–/ Amid recent road mishaps in the city, a prohibitory order has been issued banning unauthorised digging of public roads within the jurisdiction of Guwahati police commissionerate.
“Different government agencies are undertaking projects within the jurisdiction of the Guwahati police commissionerate and these agencies have awarded contracts of implementing these projects to different firms. It has been made to appear that these firms are resorting to digging of roads unauthorisedly and without ensuring basic safety measures around the dug-up portion, which has posed serious safety concerns to road users,” Imdad Ali, DCP (administration), Guwahati stated in the order issued under Section 144 of Cr PC.
“Due to non-adherence of the basic safety measures by these firms while digging public roads, there have been unfortunate incidents leading to loss of precious human lives. It is imperative to stop such unauthorised legal activities by these firms in the interest of preventing any further such mishaps and ensuring public safety,” the order read.
“Any work, involving digging of public roads, shall only be carried out with the permission from the concerned road owning agency like PWD (roads) or deputy commissioner, Kamrup (Metropolitan) district. The concerned government agency undertaking such work shall obtain the necessary permission and authorise the implementing firm to undertake such work,” the DCP (administration) stated.
The government agency/implementing firm, after obtaining the necessary permission for digging of public roads from the concerned road owning agency, would have to inform the deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Guwahati.
“The intimation shall include details of the road/street proposed to be dug along with proposed date of commencement and the estimated time period required to complete the work,” the order read.
Along with the intimation, the government agency/implementing firm has been asked to attach all necessary papers, including a written permission from concerned road owning agency and a written undertaking of adhering to all the basic safety measures like barricading, putting up reflective signage, warning lights, etc, besides the details of the implementing firms and supervisors responsible for the work.
“No construction material or excavated earth will be dumped haphazardly on the road. There should be a designated space for storing such material having all the basic safety measures to avoid any mishaps and without causing any hindrance to traffic movement. No such work shall be undertaken without proper coordination with Guwahati Traffic Police,” the order read.