Srinagar: As the roads have developed potholes in major roads across Srinagar and other districts, the government has decided to go for a massive macadamization process this year to ensure that all the dilapidated roads are covered in this season.
In this regard, the Roads and Building (R&B) Department has submitted a plan worth Rs 200 Crore for the macadamization process this year.
Sources privy to the development said that the documental work has started for this year’s macadamization process, saying that the concerned have been directed to submit details of roads that are in shambles.
They said that the officers have been directed to do some ground work and come up with the exact details about the road length where the process will have to be initiated.
Chief Engineer R&B, Er Showkat Jeelani said that the final figure about the road length has not been received yet. However, he said that a plan worth Rs 200 crore has been submitted this year for the macadamization process.
He said it would take time to start the macadamization process as the apt season for the process has not arrived yet. Jeelani said the department is giving priority to filling the patches of major as well as link roads at present, saying that repairing the patches are more important. He said that the macadamization process will be started either in the mid of April or by ending April.
Pertinently, a total of 1000 kms of road length was macadamized in the previous year—2020. However, the commuters have been complaining of potholed roads everywhere in Srinagar, saying that most of the roads especially those leading towards the hospitals or Srinagar Airport here are in dilapidated conditions.
They alleged the use of substandard material during the macadamization process, saying that it has been witnessed that the blacktopping never sustains for more than one year. “There have been tall claims from the government over the action against the contractors and others for using substandard material during the macadamization process. However, so far none among the officials or contractors were taken to the task, thus allowing both including officials as well as the contractors to use improper material during the process, which in result prove irksome for the people,” they said.
Meanwhile, the officials concerned said that as the massive macadamization process is scheduled to be started soon, the department has been directed by the administration to ensure no substandard material is used during the process.
They said that the department has also been directed to take strict action against the contractors and their supporters within the department in case they use substandard material.