SHILLONG: The sorry state of roads in the city and other parts of the state has prompted Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to consider “cracking the whip” to ensure that the quality of work is not compromised with.
Sangma informed here on Thursday that direction has been given to the PWD (Roads) to address the concern. Observing that the duration of monsoon is usually long in the State leading to damage of roads, the Chief Minister admitted that the government in the past had not invested appropriately in infrastructure.
Expressing anguish over the manner in which roads are constructed in the state, the Chief Minister said that many a time the cross drainage is not put in place thus making the road a passage for running water, which eventually costs the path its longevity. “We have advised the line departments to make some corrections in this regard,” he said.
Stressing the need to create assets which would be resilient to harsh weather, he said that the government was taking corrective measures and the formation of the Office of the Chief Engineer, Standards and Research was a step in that direction.
According to Sangma, the State government was also allotting fund for upgrading roads in the State capital as well as district headquarters.
When asked about the deteriorating condition of roads which were constructed prior to the holding of the South Asian Games earlier this year, Sangma said that hurriedly constructed roads always leave enough room for compromise in the quality of work delivered. He advocated the need to properly plan the construction of a road for increased durability.
Asked about the alleged connivance between the contractors and the officers resulting in construction of roads with poor quality materials, Sangma said that the government is setting a benchmark through the Lokayukta to address such concerns of illegitimate practices. He further said that any case of malpractice will be subjected to scrutiny.
