Raouf Dar
Srinagar Aug 15 : Authorities are set to take action against contractors who have allegedly used “poor-quality” material in construction of roads over the years in Jammu and Kashmir.
A senior official of Roads and Buildings Department said that government has received complaints that several roads have started developing potholes that were executed for last few years and many were worn-out within weeks.
“There are complaints that contractors had used poor quality or substandard material in construction of road works. Government has directed several departments including Roads and Buildings Department, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Economic Reconstruction Agency to look into complaints and take action against contractors accordingly. Those found involved will be blacklisted. It has also been decided to take action against officials under whose jurisdiction these areas fall where poor quality material was used,” the official told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
There are complaints that several roads that were macadamised for the past over a year have started developing potholes due to usage of sub-standard material. “Poor quality material had been used that is the reason these roads could not last longer,” the official said.
Locals in various areas of Srinagar have also complained that the shabby roads make problem more complex during rainfall when water gets accumulate in potholes.
The official said the defects liability period is one year during which the contractor is responsible for repairing or rectifying defects that appear in the works.
“We have also formed the inspection teams who conduct on spot checking of works. It is prerogative that every road has to be tested to check the quality of road works,” the official said.
Sources said there were also complaints that contractors were violating rules by using unapproved material in several road constructions.
Sources said authorities would also take the action against the concerned officials if found guilty, who had given their approval despite usage of substandard material by the contractor.
The Anti Corruption Bureau has also received complaints that poor quality of material was used in various road works at several places.
The ACB sleuths have also been told to make surprise checks of roads and know the quality of the material being used.
“Various teams have been constituted to supervise the works. The action will also be taken against officials who are found guilty,” the official added.
