SHIMLA:  Before he hold his first meeting with PWD engineers and NHAI officers, PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh chose to start his work from the ground zero: He asked people on social media across Himachal Pradesh about bad roads that need urgent attention. He was literally flooded with names of over 12000 roads from Netizens, which are in bad shape and need urgent repair and maintenance.

This has proved beyond doubts that the roads, the "lifelines, which are also economic and supplies  lines"  in the hills of Himachal are in bad shape.   

This  response from public that Vikramaditya Singh has got on social media has amply set  an agenda for  new incumbent of PWD department post, the biggest department in the state. 

As the snow season is at its peaks. most sufferers are the people in snowbound link roads in places like Chopal Kupvi, Baghi-Khadrala, Sungri, Chirgaon and Rampur, parts of Kangra, Mandi, Kullu and parts of Chamba and Bharmour,  which receive the heaviest snow every year in stare. 

Dopti-Pabaas-Shilikain and Pabaas Kenchi-Shilgran-Lastadhar  link road in Chopal, which has got over 2 ft of snow has  remained blocked for the last 10 days.

There are other link roads or ambulance roads, which hardly are cleared by PWD for months under the pleas that these are not under PWD. 

There are khad-like roads under "state head",  which do not get a pie under the budget for tarring and maintenance. 

Vikramaditya Singh hold his first meeting with PWD officers and engineers and the staff here today at PWD headquaters.

In today’s meeting Vikramaditya Singh took cognizance of the snow-blocked roads and directed the PWD to clear the roads.

Minister said the State Government has made all necessary arrangements to clear the roads covered under snow.

JCB machines and other machineries have been made available to the department to restore these roads.

He said PWD and NHAI must also identify and correct “black Spots that are also one of main reasons for the accidents or mishaps on the roads”.

Vikramaditya  Singh directed NHAI and PWD  to  identify landslide zones on Shimla-Solan four-lane and take measures to prevent damage to the highway due to construction  works so that locals and tourists have a hassle-free journey.

The minister asked National Highway Authority of India, (NHAI) officers to complete all project works in a time bound manner.

“It is the duty of PWD and NHAI to maintain and repair roads for providing safe journey to the commuters”, Vikramaditya Singh said.

He directed the NHAI to complete the bridge at Ghandal on Shimla-Matour National Highway well in time. It has been causing a lot of inconvenience to people over a year.

“This highway is the lifeline connecting lower belts of the State.  “PWD and NHAI must replace the existing Bailey bridge with new one on a priority basis”.

Vikramaditya assured that the government won't tolerate the substandard work while construction of roads and buildings.

The department would be provided modern equipment to check the quality of the construction work, he said.

He said  people can also register their complaints and concerns regarding the poor quality of construction and non-maintenance of roads through e-samadhan, 'Meri Sadak'  and CP Gram portal.

Reviewing the works of the electric wing of the department, the Minister said the under construction or other buildings must be  equipped with Solar panels for electricity and water to make them green. 

CPS Sanjay Awasthi also gave his valuable suggestions on the occasion.

The meeting was attended by PWD engineering chiefs Ajay Gupta, Archanna Thakur and other top officers of the department.