SHILLONG: The State cabinet on Friday approved the Meghalaya Road Maintenance Policy for effective monitoring of projects.
Speaking to media persons after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said under the policy, roads which require periodic maintenance or emergency repair will be identified. “When roads are constructed, the most important and crucial part is maintenance,” he added.
Sangma said the government has invested in developing road infrastructure, especially in rural areas, besides central aid under the rural road project.
When reporters pointed out that the State is still lagging behind in completing projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the chief minister said the government has taken measures to make up for the delay.
The PWD (Roads) will identify young contractors and train them because many projects under the central scheme have not received a single bid, Sangma said. “Though not great but it’s better than before and a number of projects will be taken up under PMGSY,” he said.
Asked if there is any clause in the policy that mandates action against contractors who fail to construct good quality roads, Sangma said the there will be an empowerment committee for monitoring, evaluation and quality control.
