24 September,2016 08:35 AM IST | | Ranjeet Jadhav
Following the bridge collapse in Mahad and on Shillod-Pishor-Kannad road in Aurangabad on September 5, the state government has come out with a GR in an attempt to prevent such incidents
An aerial view of the bridge in Mahad that collapsed
An aerial view of the bridge in Mahad that collapsed
Following the bridge collapse in Mahad and on Shillod-Pishor-Kannad road in Aurangabad on September 5, the state government has come out with a GR in an attempt to prevent such incidents.
It states that the circle or division officers of Public Works Department (PWD) will henceforth have to inform and submit a report to a three-member committee appointed by the government for collapses of bridges and dilapidated buildings of PWD and road cave-ins. It adds that even before taking up repair work of bridges or roads, it will be mandatory to inform the committee and that those who fail to do so will face action. The committee comprises PWD Principal Secretary Ashish Kumar Singh, Secretary (Roads) SB Tamsekar and Secretary CP Joshi.
Experts delighted
Transport experts have welcomed the move as they feel that this GR will put pressure on the officers who used to take their jobs lightly. Transport expert Jitendra Gupta said, "It's a known fact that government officials, especially those in the PWD, are least bothered about their work. Had the officials been serious, there would have not been a bridge collapse. The new GR is a welcome move as it will help in ensuring better work at the ground level as the official in charge of each circle will have to update and report to the authorities."
What the GR states
The GR, which came out on September 19, states that it has been observed that some circle officers of PWD have not been updating their seniors about dilapidated bridges, roads and buildings in their area and, hereafter, those who fail to will have to face action.
The GR also states that due to various newspaper articles and TV channel reports on dilapidated bridges and roads of PWD, the department is getting negative publicity. Hence, it's mandatory for authorities to immediately inform their higher-ups about any updates related to bridges, buildings and roads, which come under the PWD and are in a bad condition. mid-day tried to contact Tamsekar, but he was unavailable for comment.
