Minister orders R&B roads repair on war footing

Rajahmundry, Nov 2 : State Minister Pithani Satyanarayana said that the R&B roads which were badly affected due to Phailin cyclone and also due to recent heavy rains would be repaired on war footing basis.

The Minister informed that a separate GO was also issued for appointing Special Officers each for East and West Godavari districts in the State to expedite the works. Speaking to the media persons at R&B Guest House here on Saturday, the Minister said that as per these orders, the Engineer in Chief would get powers for sanctioning of works instead of doing the same at the government. He said that the authorities would call short tenders in the place of regular tenders to save time and also to take up works immediately.

Pithani further said that necessary orders were issued by the government for release of rice, kerosene and financial assistance for clothes and utensils for those whose houses were marooned due to heavy rains. Special provision was also made for construction of fully damaged houses at the rate of Rs 70,000 per house on fully subsidized basis. With regard to road safety to avoid accidents, he said that a special meeting would be called shortly with the R&B Department officials, National Highways authorities and police officials to discuss the measures of vehicles movement, roads conditions and on road safety shortly. People’s representatives and service organizations involved in road safety would also be invited for the meeting, he added.

The Minister further said that a special meeting would be held at Rajahmundry with experts on safety of road-cum-railway bridge and on widening of roads on November 12. In this connection, Rajahmundry city MLA Rowthu Surya Prakasa Rao requested the minister for construction of a flyover near Morampudi to avoid accidents and to control traffic in Rajahmundry town and also for repairs of R&B road from Rajahmundry to Phurushothapatanm via Seethanagaram. INN