Ensure all roads are pothole-free by October 10: Chief Minister

Lucknow : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed that the ongoing special campaign to eliminate potholes on the state’s roads should be completed by October 10, ahead of the upcoming festivals, including Sharadiya Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali. During a meeting with various departments on Tuesday, the Chief Minister emphasized that traffic increases significantly during festivals, with many foreign tourists visiting the state.

He highlighted the collective responsibility to ensure that every person has a pleasant experience while walking on the roads. He also stressed the importance of carrying out pothole repairs and road maintenance with high quality.

While giving instructions to the Mandi Parishad, the Chief Minister emphasized that farmers are the primary users of roads and that their convenience must be prioritized. He directed that roads be constructed using the FDR method, which conserves natural resources, reduces costs and time, and enhances work quality.

The Chief Minister insisted that all repair and drainage work for roads under the Mandi Samiti be completed within the designated timeframe, with a strong focus on construction quality. Additionally, during his communication with officials from NHAI, he stated that toll taxes should not be collected until the highway construction is fully completed.

While reviewing the departmental action plan for the pothole eradication campaign, the Chief Minister ruled out any shortage of funds for road projects, directing departments to coordinate for better planning.

He instructed all departments to ensure that the road construction agency or contractor assumes responsibility for maintaining the road for the next five years following its completion. Clear rules and conditions should be set in this regard. The departmental minister and officers should conduct random field visits and review construction projects on a weekly basis. Accountability for the work should also be fixed, he added.

The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of mechanizing the work rather than relying on manual labor. He stated that all departments should be equipped with sufficient machinery for road repairs, and the process of patching roads should be automated.

The Chief Minister stated that poorly executed work on roads increases the likelihood of accidents. He emphasized that after laying sewer lines and pipelines, proper repairs should be carried out. Pointing out that high speed breakers on the roads can lead to accidents, he recommended the construction of table-top speed breakers to enhance safety.

The Chief Minister stated that geo-tagging of the pothole removal and road reconstruction campaign should be implemented. This should be linked to the PM Gatishakti portal, and a dedicated portal should also be developed to enable continuous monitoring of work quality.

He emphasized the importance of advancing the repair work on the expressway to ensure smooth transportation during the festivals. Additionally, he directed that an action plan be prepared for the repair of roads constructed under MP and MLA funds.

The Chief Minister stated that the Sugarcane Department should oversee the repair of buildings belonging to the Sugarcane Committee and schools. He noted that the concept of village secretariats has been recognized by the Central Government as a model for the state. He directed that the offices of the Sugarcane Committee be upgraded on the lines of village secretariats. Useful information should be prominently displayed for the farmers and their queries resolved.

A proposal should be developed to provide essential facilities such as drinking water, toilets, and canteens through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Mandi Samiti and industrial establishments across all district headquarters in the state. Women self-help groups should be involved in this effort.

“It is also important to ensure the availability of affordable food for farmers through canteens in the mandis. Additionally, arrangements for security measures such as CCTV surveillance, street lighting, and cleanliness should be implemented in industrial establishments”, he remarked.

The Chief Minister stated that the concept of smart roads should be promoted in key locations within Nagar Panchayats, Municipal Corporations, and Municipal Councils across all districts. Similar facade lights should be installed on smart roads. Additionally, he urged the Urban Development Department to ensure uniformity in facade lighting throughout the cities.

The Chief Minister remarked that urbanization is continuously expanding in the state, emphasizing that illegal colonies should not be permitted to develop under any circumstances. He instructed that the handover of new colonies should occur only after ensuring the availability of essential facilities such as roads, electricity, and water.