 Ajay Sharma
Early Times Report
NOWSHERA, Jan 9: Residents of Nowshera division have blamed shoddy road repair works, alleged use of sub-standard materials and lack of regular repairs for the pathetic condition of Lettar-Devkar-Hattal road in Rajouri district.
Talking to Early Times, a group of locals stated that light rain in the area has turned newly repaired Lettar-Devkar-Hattal road into a stretch of potholes, making it inconvenient for the commuters.
“Despite spending crores of funds for the construction and renovation of Lettar-Devkar-Hattal road, the same has developed deep holes, as the material used by the government could not sustain light rain,” said locals, adding that few years back Public Works Department (PWD) had initiated construction of this stretch of road at an estimated cost of crore of rupees.
They alleged that the road had started withering away within months of the construction, thus making it clear enough that the material used was of substandard quality.
“Seeing the condition of the road, it is presumed that the sub standard material has been used by the PWD officials in connivance of the respective contractor,” alleged locals, adding that such an attitude of the department has caused huge loss to the public exchequer.
Locals said that recently following a report by the Early Times, Superintending Engineer, Executive Engineer and Assistant Executive Engineer reached the spot and issued instructions for the repairs and patch work of the road.
The locals have demanded vigilance inquiry into the matter to ascertain the use of sub standard material in the construction and repair of this road. They said that the guilty officials and contractor should be punished for not only causing inconvenience to the people, but also for causing loss to the public exchequer. |
