Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 10: Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar, today said providing connectivity, construction of quality and safe roads for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth is the top priority of the Government and the works are carried under strict direction for maintaining quality of the macadam as per the procedure and guidelines.
The Minister was speaking during his visit to Nagrota constituency to inspect and monitor the upgradation work including blacktopping of Tuta di Khui to Khada Madana road. The work estimated to cost Rs 3 crore has been taken up under National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) at an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore.
He asked the executing agencies to strictly adhere to the technical specifications in the work, adding any compromise in this regard would not be tolerated.
The Minister asked authorities to apply enhanced engineering perspective to increase durability of roads. He said that construction of drainage alongside roads besides using the right mix will ensure longer durability.
He also called for public involvement in the implementation of development works. “People will act as a monitoring mechanism to check the quality of the works especially the quality of material used”, he asserted.
Later, the Minister also inspected the upgraded road work from NH1A Narwal to Bahu Rotary upper link completed at a cost of Rs 65 lakh.
The Minister was accompanied by Chief Engineer Public Works Department Sudhir Kumar Shah, Superintendent Engineer besides Executive Engineers and other senior officers of the department.