SRINAGAR: The Administrative Council (AC) which met here on Friday under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has accorded sanction to the proposal of the Public Works (R&B) Department for the adoption of Jammu and Kashmir Road Maintenance Policy 2020-21. The new policy will help in timely maintenance of roads and repair of potholes before deterioration of entire road stretches.

The Department was also authorised to purchase requisite numbers of two-wheelers costing up to Rs 2 crore during the current financial year.

The decision aims at scientifically maintaining J&K’s gross road length of 41,600 km. Moreover, with the completion of PMGSY I & II, as well as other projects under the languishing project scheme, the road network is expected to reach 46,000 km length by 2022 which would require dedicated maintenance.

The new road maintenance policy will provide a guiding framework for establishing objectives, making arrangements for, and establishing a set of procedures for undertaking maintenance and repair works by PWD. It lays down norms for maintenance of roads covering routine, periodic, and emergency maintenance by respected provincial RMMC.

The policy provides for upgrading cross drainage systems of roads; ensuring timely clearances and repair works for proper maintenance of roads; getting repair works done during and after the completion of defect liability period; implementing audit of roads and bridges besides ensuring road safety measures on critical spots; and regular inspection of roads by the field staff through visits as per a standard schedule.

Additionally, the policy also includes provisions for empowering the field staff to ensure fortnightly site inspections and reporting; restoring potholes and craters having within 7-days by mobile teams, and introducing the latest technology and gadgets including digital survey vehicles for speedy and precise assessment of road conditions.

Farooq Khan and Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisors to the Lieutenant Governor, Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary J&K, and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, attended the meeting.

Information Department

KR Desk