Rayagada Collector anguished over Superintending Engineer’ absence
Road Safety Review Meeting:Pro-citizen resolution moved
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Rayagada, September 24: Collector and Chairman of the District Road Safety Committee and District Highway Safety Task Force, Ashutosh Kulkarni, expressed displeasure over the functioning of departmental officials during a road-safety review meeting. He particularly expressed concern over the poor condition of the Rayagada–Kereda and Rayagada–JK Pur-Therubali roads and the delay in repair work. Officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) were directed to expedite the pending works.
Kulkarni was reportedly annoyed by the absence of the Superintending Engineer of R&B Division-II, despite the official being aware of the important meeting. Two Assistant Executive Engineers (AEs) and a Junior Engineer (JE) attended the meeting as his representatives. However, the Collector directed the two AEs and the JE to leave the meeting, expressing dissatisfaction over the absence of their senior officer.
Several issues relating to the Rayagada–Kereda road were discussed. Potholes at several locations were causing vehicles to get stuck and resulting in traffic congestion. The Collector directed that the damaged stretches be repaired immediately using appropriate road materials bituminous works. The poor condition of the Rayagada–JK Pur road was also discussed, and NHAI officials were instructed to take prompt action. An estimate was directed to be prepared immediately for providing street lighting from JK Pur to Rayagada, which could be implemented through CSR funds or solar lighting.
The delay in installing street lights in areas such as JK Pur, Chandili and Gumuda also drew the Collector’s displeasure. Officials were directed to immediately verify NHAI’s road-right-of-way limits and alignment records in the JK Pur area and take necessary action.
The meeting also discussed the problem of hundreds of trucks and other heavy vehicles being illegally parked along the highway, increasing the risk of accidents. Attention was given to resolving truck-parking problems in Kolnara, Therubali and Bissamcuttack areas. Strict action against trucks illegally parked on roads was discussed with the RTO and police to impose penalties.
