Praveen Gupta, additional chief secretary, public works department is launching campaigns to improve road construction quality and bring transparency in the toll system.
While all toll plaza of National Highways are fast tag enabled, there was a challenge to implement fast tag on roads maintained by Rajasthan State Road Development Corporation (RSRDC) and Rajasthan State Highway Authority (RSHA). Gupta, after taking over in July last year, took up the cause and implemented fast tag on 103 toll plazas of RSRDC and 47 plazas of RSHA.
“This has brought transparency in toll collection. Currently, 92% of the total toll tax is being collected through fast tag. Currently we have not imposed any penalty for toll tax receipts in cash unlike National Highways where double the rate is charged for cash collection,” said a senior official of PWD.
The department is also working on improving road-quality. It has joined hands with 33 polytechnic colleges across the state for a third party inspection and validation of roads, which are under defect liability period (DLP). The campaign has also been recognised by Limca Book of World Records for covering maximum distance for inspection of DLP roads across the state.
Under this campaign, 20-25 students studying civil engineering are picked from each polytechnic college and taken for field visit along with department engineers.
“We get an unbiased opinion on quality check and students get hands on experience with studying. So far we have completed quality check across 11,200 kms. The programme will culminate on May 15, 2025 and we target to cover 15,000 kms,” the official said.
He said that students are given check list of parameters to be followed while road construction.
“They evaluate each stretch on those parameters which also includes mandatory plantation besides the technical aspects. The defects pointed out in the report are highlighted and the contractors are asked to rectify it,” the official said.
Vivek Shukla is a management graduate who has worked in corporate worked for 20 years and is now pursuing his passion — news.
