To provide safe commuting experience to the people, Punjab Mandi Board, with the cooperation of farmers and respective District Administrations, has launched a special drive for the re-construction of berms (kutcha path) on the embankment of rural link roads across the state after the wheat harvesting season. So far, around 2500 kms of link roads have been covered under this drive.
Pertinently, the missing road berms caused a number of accidents besides causing major damage to the newly-carpeted roads. Due to complete absence of berms alongside several link roads, the commuters were at the receiving end as it has narrowed the rural link roads thereby causing a lot of inconvenience to them.
“The State Government has laid special emphasis on taking several measures to facilitate people and reduce road accidents. As a part of it, Mandi Board led this special initiative by launching a massive drive for the re-construction of berms on both sides of link roads,” said Punjab Mandi Board chairman Sarvjit Singh.
The Chairman said that the farmers are also wholeheartedly cooperating with the officials for this noble initiative to ensure safety of people.
He expressed hoped that this step will be instrumental in reducing the incidents of road accidents happening due to narrow link roads thereby saving several precious lives. Major work in this regard is likely to complete before the beginning of paddy sowing season, he added.
On the directions of Mandi Board chairman, secretary Ravi Bhagat has issued detailed instructions to Field Engineers for the construction of road berms. “Any laxity in this cause is unwarranted and undesirable...Every officer must perform his duty zealously to complete the work in a time-bound and result-oriented manner,” said Bhagat.
Accordingly, the Field Engineers have taken up the task of construction of road berms and the work of providing earth filling on the berms. The work is being done mechanically by shifting the earth from vacant agriculture land available after the harvesting of wheat. This mechanical procedure also ensures that the level of agricultural land is not disturbed.
The entire task is being done by the Field Engineers by roping in construction agencies under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Notably, at the time of overtaking, heavy vehicles ply on kutcha berms which lead to damage of berms and displacement of earth from the berms. Less width of the berms leads to early damage of roads, ingress of water in the base of roads from agriculture land leading to damage of road crust. This also leads to road accidents while overtaking of vehicles.
