PATIALA: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday ordered to issue showcase notice against contractor and withholding his payments after detecting irregularities in the construction of Reetkheri Link Road in Patiala district.
The Chief Minister who conducted surprise inspection of the under construction road was miffed over non compliance of stipulated weight parameters in the construction of the road after sampling of road was done. He asked the officers to showcase the contractor constructing the road and hold his payments with immediate effect. Bhagwant Singh Mann also inspected under construction Patiala Sirhind Road in Patiala district and asked the officers to get the samples of the road checked from laboratory adding he also checked Rurki to Reona plan road in Fatehgarh Sahib district.
The Chief Minister said that the motive of checking these under construction roads is to check the quality of roads being constructed across the state. He said that since a huge sum of amount is being spent by the state government so this drive has been started to ensure that high quality roads are constructed in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he will continue this surprise check in coming days too as he is duty bound to ensure that public money is utilised in a proper manner.
The Chief Minister said that the random checking has been done to ensure that the roads are constructed properly with the best material by optimum utilisation of the resources. He said that all the concerned departments have been asked to ensure proper coordination so that all the work in terms of laying of sewerage lines, drinking water pipes, fibre and others are done well before the construction of roads. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this will ensure minimum damage to the newly constructed roads across the state thereby ensuring the judicious use of the public money.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Chief Minister’s Flying Squad is continuously monitoring the quality of roads, and after receiving several complaints about the use of substandard material, contracts of some contractors have been cancelled. The Chief Minister cautioned that if any contractor is found involved in poor-quality work or if any employee is part of it, strict action will be taken against them. He said that the state government is committed to ensure optimum utilization of the taxpayers money and no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause.