If ever there was a good scope to usher a positive change in the economy of far-flung areas in Adilabad, it’s the current period as most of the ruinous rural roads have been earmarked for a facelift. The State government has sanctioned Rs. 250 crore for repairs to 306 roads, running into a length of 1,390 km, besides repairs to 190 community development works, in the next two years.
The allocation for Adilabad is the highest among all the districts which cumulatively gets Rs. 1,776 crore for repairs to rural roads falling under the Panchayat Raj Department. Superintending Engineer A. Uma Maheshwar Reddy vows to focus on the quality of works, likely to begin in January, so that the roads last longer.
What is the significance of the government’s effort in repairs to rural roads?
This is perhaps the biggest programme on maintenance of rural roads undertaken by any State government in the country so far. It will ensure repairs to even those stretches which have been in bad shape since over a decade and ease problems faced by the rural poor in decreasing the money they spend on goods transportation.
What will you do to ensure quality in work in the current programme?
This time, we will especially focus on the quality of work related to shoulders of roads being repaired and not just the black topped carriageway. The quality of any road shoulder is important for it to remain in good shape for a longer duration.
What happens to the encroachments which have further narrowed down the width of roads in rural areas?
I concede that 90 per cent of roads do not have the width as per their original design. We will try to remove encroachments with the support of locals wherever possible, though it will be quite a difficult task.
Does the programme include raising the level of existing causeways or road dams or other low-level bridges?
No, we have no such plans. The damaged structures, however, will be repaired. The low-level structures were designed keeping in view the flood flow of the concerned stream. I do not think traffic will be obstructed for a long time in the event of water overflowing these structures in rainy season.
What will be the life of the roads after being subjected to repairs under the current programme?
We will ensure maximum life but roads need renewal every five years, if one were to go by the relevant code. I hope the government subjects the roads to periodical repairs for ensuring smooth traffic operations in the rural areas.
The allocation for Adilabad is the highest among all the districts which cumulatively gets Rs. 1,776 crore for repairs to rural roads falling under the Panchayat Raj Department. Superintending Engineer A. Uma Maheshwar Reddy vows to focus on the quality of works, likely to begin in January, so that the roads last longer.
What is the significance of the government’s effort in repairs to rural roads?
This is perhaps the biggest programme on maintenance of rural roads undertaken by any State government in the country so far. It will ensure repairs to even those stretches which have been in bad shape since over a decade and ease problems faced by the rural poor in decreasing the money they spend on goods transportation.
What will you do to ensure quality in work in the current programme?
This time, we will especially focus on the quality of work related to shoulders of roads being repaired and not just the black topped carriageway. The quality of any road shoulder is important for it to remain in good shape for a longer duration.
What happens to the encroachments which have further narrowed down the width of roads in rural areas?
I concede that 90 per cent of roads do not have the width as per their original design. We will try to remove encroachments with the support of locals wherever possible, though it will be quite a difficult task.
Does the programme include raising the level of existing causeways or road dams or other low-level bridges?
No, we have no such plans. The damaged structures, however, will be repaired. The low-level structures were designed keeping in view the flood flow of the concerned stream. I do not think traffic will be obstructed for a long time in the event of water overflowing these structures in rainy season.
What will be the life of the roads after being subjected to repairs under the current programme?
We will ensure maximum life but roads need renewal every five years, if one were to go by the relevant code. I hope the government subjects the roads to periodical repairs for ensuring smooth traffic operations in the rural areas.
