SRINAGAR, JAN 10: The administration has instructed the Roads and Buildings Department to guarantee the uncompromised quality of materials used in road macadamization.
Frequent complaints arise regarding the use of substandard materials in road construction. Over the years, even macadamized roads have begun to develop potholes, with many attributing the issue to the use of inferior materials.
A senior official from the Roads and Buildings Department emphasized that the administration has issued strict directives to maintain high-quality materials in road construction. “Any contractor discovered using substandard materials is subject to stringent action, as per government instructions,” the official said.
The official noted that material quality is often discerned during snowfall in the valley.
The official said they are not allowing any usage of substandard material in the construction of roads.
“The testing of material is done at three places. First at the plant then at the site after which samples are sent to NIT. The payment is released only when it is found there is no usage of substandard material. If there are any complaints, then we take relevant action against that construction company,” the official said.
A contractor has to maintain the road for three years only then he can withdraw full payments for his work.
However, officials said many roads develop potholes during winter due to harsh weather.
“We leave few roads un-macadamized where other departments have to do other works like draining or electrical. We macadamise those roads after they (other departments) complete their works,” another official said.
Sources said the government has directed to have regular audits of the roads for their proper and timely maintenance which includes all works of routine maintenance/ repair, periodic maintenance, road rehabilitation including pavements, drainage, potholes repair and also maintenance of emergency nature. The chief engineers have been told to prepare the report on the macadamization of the roads done in the past three years under all sectors along with road length achieved and road-wise status and the action taken by the executive engineers on the Defect Liability Period.
