‘PWD focus will now shift from quantity to quality’ says PWD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The PWD (Public Work Department) will be shifting its focus from quantity to quality, and there should not be any political interference in the departmental work in the coming days. Emphasizing these vital aspects for improving the quality of contractors’ works, State PWD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma added that all roads leading to schools and hospitals will be improved. He also stated, “There is no dearth of money.”

Taking part in the discussion on ‘Voting on supplementary demands for grants for the year 2019-2020’ of PWD on the fourth day of the Assam Assembly Budget session on Thursday, Minister Sarma stated, “It is high time that PWD focuses on grooming local contractors who can deliver the goods through their dedication. This is a must for achieving our mission to shift from quantity to quality. In the days to come, Assam must have at least 500 quality contractors from among the local people. In the next few years, PWD will have to construct approximately 53,000 km of roads across the State.

“In this regard, the department will also have to motivate the civil engineers of the State to take up such work on a strictly professional basis. If necessary, the PWD will have to bring in a course for the up-and-coming contractors of the State.”

Dwelling on the need for shift in focus, Minister Sarma stated, “This envisaged shift to quality from quantity will bring in the positive changes in various construction works.” He pointing out, “We have found that a few contractors did sloppy works earlier. They gave just a single layer on the roads and also took the money.

“From now on, the contractors will have to also ensure that the roads they construct have the white lining and side bumps too.

“Moreover, there will be a standard road construction estimate system. In this regard, a third-party monitoring system is being planned while preparing various cost estimates and also to ensure quality works. This has been mooted because we have observed that varying cost estimates of area-wise road schemes have been given by the department. While the costs estimate of one kilometer of road in a few LACs (Legislative Assembly Constituencies) is Rs 1 crore, in a few others it is pegged at Rs 1.25 crore.”

Referring to future plans of PWD, Minister Sarma said, “Next fiscal, 5,000 km of roads will be constructed under the ‘Assam Mala’ scheme to be funded by the ADB (Asian Development Bank). Besides as per our government’s plan to convert 1,000 wooden bridges into concrete ones, already 700 of the targeted bridges are nearing completion. The remaining 300 will be taken up during 2020-2021. Moreover in 2020-2021, a 10-km road and one new bridge will be constructed in each of the 126 LACs.

“I also have a plan to have another 5,000 km of road constructed with our own resources. A flyover is being planned at Tezpur Mission Chariali; 50 km roads in Sibsagar LAC will be improved, and 45 km in Nazira LAC.”

Focusing on the various works in Guwahati, Minister Sarma stated, “Work will commence on a four-km flyover from Maligaon to the Kamakhya Gate point within three months. The alternative route from Maligaon to Kamakhya Temple via Pandu is nearing completion. Another flyover is planned at Lokhra. The ongoing construction of the Ganeshguri flyover will be completed before Durga puja this year. The completion deadline for the Super Market flyover is before Durga Puja in 2021.

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