State Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Rakesh Singh, on Friday conducted an extensive three-hour review meeting with department officials in Bhopal and gave necessary directions. Singh emphasised on the need to implement suggestions, innovations and instructions received from Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav’s review meeting in a timely manner. He highlighted importance of road construction and instructed that a clear monthly target be set for road building, with regular progress reviews. Singh directed officials to include all remaining roads in Lokpath mobile app by November 15. It will allow the public to report damaged roads across the entire network managed by the Public Works Department. During the meeting, Singh stressed on the use of high-quality materials for road construction, such as top-grade asphalt and emulsions. He also directed formation of a monitoring cell at Government level for construction projects worth over Rs 50 crore. Singh also highlighted importance of using latest technologies in construction and instructed officials to implement an Integrated Project Management System and a Road Asset Management System to streamline operations.

 

He suggested that excavation for necessary soil during road construction be carried out in designated areas to create reservoirs. Singh further instructed that trees should be relocated rather than cut down during road construction. He directed that rainwater harvesting systems be incorporated into all under construction department buildings. During the meeting it was informed that the department has initiated road construction using Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) technique. This method involves using reclamation materials to build roads on top of existing ones without removal. Minister Singh urged both the department officials and contractors to work with increased enthusiasm and dedication. Additional Chief Secretary K C Gupta and MD of Building Development Corporation Chandra Mohan Thakur among other officials were present during the meeting.