After implementing pothole free roads scheme, the Aam Aadmi party (AAP) government has directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to install boards in every 250 metre with display messages, ‘This road comes under Delhi Government and are pothole free. If you find any pothole, take a photo and send with location to our whatsapp helpline number’. Around 1260 km road stretches are maintained by PWD. As per the official survey, total number 232 potholes, 272 uneven roads, 283 patches of broken roads have been identified.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has recently announced a scheme called ‘Pothole free city’. Under the scheme around 50 MLA’s along with the concerned area engineer inspected the roads and stretches maintained by the PWD to identify the number of potholes, cracks and various other issues.
According to the documents, accessed by The Pioneer, display board will have the message written in both Hindi and English Language. The board will display the message, “ye Delhi Sarkari ki road hai. Iss sadak ka rakh rakhav, Delhi sarkar karti hai. yadhi sadak mai kahin gaddha dikahyi de to uski photo khinch kar uski location 00000 par whatsapp kar de.’ (This road comes under the jurisdiction of Delhi government. This road is maintained by Delhi Government. If you see any potholes on this road, then take a picture and send it to our Whatsapp number with location.)
It further read, “Approvals accorded by Hon’ble Minister PWD. Concerned Senior Engineers and Executive Engineers to take action.”
A senior government official said that the Whatsapp helpline number is not decided yet but it is expected that the already existing helpline number of PWD will be used for the initiative.
“The board will be installed in every 250 metre on all the stretches of PWD across the National Capital. Presently, it has been decided to install flex boards on a pilot basis. Also, these boards will cost less and money can be used from PWD maintenance. While the normal type directions boards situated across the city will cost much, approximately Rs 8000 per board while flex boards will cost Rs 300,” said an official.
Moreover, Delhi CM has also announced on Thursday said the identified 232 potholes will be repaired by this Friday. While, 283 patches of broken roads and 272 uneven roads identified will be repaired by 31st October and 30th November.
Further, there are 392 spots where construction works by various agencies are in progress. "I have called a meeting of all the concerned departments and agencies on 23rd October, and the deadline for completion of construction work will be given to them in the meeting. There are also some spots where the construction work has been completed, but the roads have not been repaired yet due to a lack of coordination between different agencies. We will ensure that the restoration of roads is done at a faster pace and construction deadlines are given to all the agencies," said Kejriwal.
