Improve quality of roads: Naidu to officials

Hyderabad, Jan 5 (INN): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu called for an immediate assessment of the status of roads in the state.

In a review meeting on road grid with R&B and Panchayat Raj officials, the Chief Minister directed them to study the current and future traffic flow in the state and plan for single, double, four-lane roads in the state.

He ordered for mapping of roads through GPS and questioned officials for not completing mapping in three districts. 'Lack of coordination between departments cannot be cited as a reason for delay in carrying out works, the Chief Minister said.

According to the Chief Minister, officials should be accountability for the quality of roads laid. 'Better roads mean higher GDP and GSDP for our state,' he added.

Stating that the condition of roads in the state deteriorated in the last 10 years, he said that Andhra Pradesh's roads rank below national standards.

The Chief Minister recalled that during his previous administration he had appointed one Mr. Subbirami Reddy as a special officer to assess the quality of roads.

Asking officials to chalk out a plan to connect all villages, the Chief Minister said that multiple-route connectivity and village-to-village connectivity should be given priority. He also asked them to prepare a report on the source of finance for Rough Road Maintenance (RRM).

Beautification of roads should be taken up at the earliest, he said, adding that the step would bring down road accident rate. Even road repairs have to be carried out immediately, he said. 'Proper signboards, street lights and planting of trees should be taken up,' he said.

The Police department, R&B and Panchayat Raj department should study accident-prone areas and suggest measures to bring down the accident rate, the Chief Minister suggested.

In areas where there are land acquisition problems for National Highways, the Chief Minister asked the departments to consult district collector and sort them out as soon as possible.

He suggested officials to take up construction of water conservation structures near causeway bridges.

Given that most complaints received in the state are regarding bad roads and potholes, the Chief Minister said officials should work in a way that people look upto the department for laying quality roads in the New Year.

Ministers Siddha Raghava Rao and Ayyanna Patrudu and Panchayat Raj and R&B principal secretaries, Jawahar Reddy and Sam Bob, respectively and principal secretary to CM Satish Chandra and other officials were present.