Uttarakhand Gears Up for Improved Rural Road Maintenance

Uttarakhand's Chief Secretary, Radha Raturi, called for a joint meeting between the Public Works and Rural Works Departments to streamline the maintenance of rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. The aim is to designate responsibilities and adopt best practices for road quality improvement.

In a decisive move to enhance rural infrastructure, Uttarakhand's Chief Secretary Radha Raturi mandated a collaborative meeting between the Public Works Department and the Rural Works Department. The goal is to establish a clear-cut responsibility framework for the upkeep of roads built under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

In the meeting held at the Secretariat, it was highlighted that while the Uttarakhand Rural Road Development Agency undertakes road construction, maintenance has been led by the Public Works Department. Now, the Rural Works Department, with its extensive expertise, is keen to join this endeavor.

Chief Secretary Raturi emphasized the need for a competitive yet cooperative spirit between departments and called for a study on systems from other states. The focus is on adopting best practices to ensure the durability and quality of rural roads, which are vital for accessing remote areas, especially during emergencies.

(With inputs from agencies.)