Guwahati, Oct 6/–/ In view of recurrent mishaps triggered by potholes in vulnerable locations across Assam, the chief secretary has directed district commissioners and stakeholders of ongoing projects to take necessary corrective measures to prevent accidents.
In this regard, district commissioners have been asked to depute officers to prepare lists of all the vulnerable locations related to ongoing projects, and take necessary corrective measures.
Further, the deputy commissioners have been asked to provide adequate barricades/proper signage and illumination in the vulnerable locations in order to prevent accidents.
Chairing a meeting here on the issue of unsafe areas and potholes across roads throughout the state, Assam chief secretary P.K Borthakur expressed concern at the number of deaths in recent months arising out of such vulnerable spots across Kamrup Metro and other districts.
Among several key decisions, the meeting decided to create a concrete mechanism for better coordination and sharing of information among all the stakeholders such as Jal Board, Smart City Ltd, Purva Bharati Gas, Power Grid Corporation, PWD and NHAI, NHIDCL and Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC).
Departments and implementing agencies have been directed to sensitise contractors, including sub-contractors, carrying out the various projects, on the various safety measures required to be undertaken during execution of the projects.
Nodal officers would be notified by each of the stakeholder agencies and made responsible for lapses involving road restoration and safety measures. These nodal officers and concerned contractors (including the main contractor) shall be made responsible for ensuring all safety measures and liable for any lapse besides restoration of roads in all districts.
The chief secretary also requested the district commissioner, Kamrup Metro and the Commissioner of Police to explore the feasibility/option of taking an undertaking from the concerned implementing departments/agencies and contractors in place of NOC (no objection certificate).
“Mere issuance of an NOC shall not serve the objective of making the contractors/ implementing agencies responsible for any lapse leading to any untoward incident,” he stated.
Besides, the GMC has been instructed to monitor the restoration work, including all vulnerable points within the municipal areas of Guwahati, and raise the issues with the concerned departments/ implementing agencies for immediate compliance.
The GMC commissioner has also been asked to furnish a list of uncovered potholes/ manholes in all the footpaths of the city and share the same with the public works roads department (PWRD) for immediate necessary compliance.
A dedicated portal for uploading all public complaints related to unsafe pot-holes and vulnerable locations cutting across all departments/ agencies would be put in place by October 10, 2023.
The chief secretary further instructed all the district commissioners to take utmost care for ensuring the safety of people during the ensuing Puja festival and take all corrective measures for incident-free festivals.