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Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
No comprehensive planning for upgradation of UP roads, says CAG report
Proposals for widening and strengthening of roads were sanctioned in Uttar Pradesh without ensuring availability of free land that resulted in delay in completion of work, stated the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India tabled in the UP Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. CAG report said lack of planning resulted in a delay in completion of work related to road projects in UP. (For Representation) Sharing an example, the report cited Varanasi-Shaktinagar Marg amounting to ₹121.59 crore that got sanctioned in May 2018 without ensuring availability of encumbrance free land. This resulted in a delay in completion of work by more than two years. Widening and strengthening of Manikpur to Dharkundi Ashram via Kalyanpur road in Chitrakoot was sanctioned in May 2018 for ₹40.37 crore. Departmental officers did not ensure the availability of encumbrance free land before sending the proposal as forest clearance was not granted by the forest department, the report said. This resulted in reduction in width of road during execution by 1.54 metres in a stretch of four km against original technical sanction of 5.5 metres, the report stated. The Rule 6 (2) of the Central Road Fund (CRF) Rules 2014 inter alia provides that the proposals shall include only those works where land is available without any encumbrance. The audit, however, noticed violation of the rule in following cases, the report stated. There was no comprehensive planning in the state for upgradation of roads under CRF, however, an annual plan was prepared from 2022-23. No periodical traffic survey was conducted to identify upgradation requirements, the CAG report further said. 'The proposals under CRF were sanctioned by the state in an ad hoc manner without proper identification and prioritisation of roads based on requirement. The department utilised only 35 percent of the allotted budget for execution of works sanctioned under CRF during 2016-17 to 2022-23. There was a difference in the expenditure recorded in the books of accounts,' the report stated. 'The proposals received from public representatives were consolidated and proposed by the department for consideration under CRF instead of selecting the works based on prioritisation,' the report added. No periodical traffic survey was conducted by the divisional officers, due to which identification and prioritisation of roads for upgradation could not be carried out properly. Thus, the department did not have a complete and updated database of roads to facilitate systematic and objective planning for upgradation of works to be undertaken, it said. Hence, the entire process of submission of proposals by divisional officers was performed in absence of proper planning procedure, the report said.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
CAG finds gaps in central road fund mgmt, highlights undue work delay
1 2 Lucknow: The performance audit of the Central Road Fund, a corpus managed by the public works department (PWD) to strengthen road network, has revealed multiple gaps. The audit, conducted between April 2016 and March 2022, examined the expenditure of Rs 7,258 crore spent under the funds. It was found that some civil works were carried out through the funds after a gap of four years due to various reasons. CAG emphasised the need to prepare long-term, medium-term, and short-term plans to manage works being executed under the funds for proper identification and prioritisation of road network, as envisaged by the state govt. It was noticed that proposals were randomly sanctioned without preparing a comprehensive plan to maintain and manage roads. A lack of periodical surveys and traffic studies also emerged as key issues that need to be addressed on priority. The team that worked on the audit report noted a significant difference between the budget provisions and actual works that amounted to Rs 6,492 crore out of the provision of Rs 20,370 crore during the said period. After opening the financial bids, the bills of 15 tenders out of 111 were revised to the tune of over 50%. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Understand Your Cat Better - 15+ Cat Behaviors Explained Undo Delays in periodic checks and inspections were also widespread. Citing examples, the CAG report highlighted the delay of two years during the widening and restrengthening of the Varanasi-Shaktinagar route, a project worth Rs 122 crore. Similarly, works on the road stretch between Gumti No. 9 and NH-2 in Kanpur were delayed by four years as a no-objection certificate from a public sector oil company could not be obtained for providing the land coming under the impact of the project. In eight cases, anomalies were detected in release of payments to contractors. Providing its recommendations, the report recommended periodic surveys of traffic and axle load for improved pavement designing. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
NDTV
20-07-2025
- Health
- NDTV
New Hospitals, Flyovers Soon As Delhi Ramps Up Health, Transport Infrastructure
New Delhi: Delhi is ramping up its health infrastructure, with over 1,300 new hospital beds almost ready across four government hospitals, and the construction of seven hospitals with ICU facilities is underway in the city. At a recent high-level review meeting, the Public Works Department (PWD) briefed Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on the status of key projects of the department. "These hospitals are almost ready. Furniture is being installed and fire safety approvals are in the final stages," a senior PWD official said. The new beds are expected to be operational within the next few months. According to the officials, construction of new blocks is underway at Acharya Shree Bhikshu, Dada Dev, Guru Gobind Singh, and Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospitals, where the work was undertaken by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in 2019-20, but could not be completed due to the lack of funds. Additionally, the government is also constructing 11 new hospitals, including seven with Intensive Care Unit (ICU) facilities. At least 13 health centres are being expanded as part of a broader medical infrastructure upgrade. A mix of public-private partnerships and fully government-funded models are being used to ensure quality. Court Infrastructure Projects Lag Behind While health infrastructure projects are showing progress, the administration is under growing pressure to accelerate work on court complexes and transport upgrades. "We've made good progress on health but need to pick up pace on courts and transport. The next few months are critical," a government source told NDTV. Court infrastructure projects at Shastri Park, Karkardooma, and Rohini are facing delays due to technical challenges, including high groundwater levels and pending design finalisations as key reasons for the delay, officials said. On the transport front, the Delhi government has sought Rs 953 crore from the Centre under the Central Road Fund to repair and resurface 400 km of roads damaged by monsoon rains and delayed maintenance. Additionally, the Urban Development Fund (UDF) has requested Rs 1,000 crore to fast-track stalled infrastructure projects, including long-pending flyovers and underpasses. Two major flyovers, at Modi Mill and Savitri Cinema intersections on the Outer Ring Road, have received clearance at a total cost of Rs 412 crore. Both sites are known for chronic congestion, and the government hopes the new structures will ease traffic snarls once operational.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Gadkari Orders Spot-Wise Survey of Flood-Hit Areas, Seeks Report In Eight Days
1 2 Nagpur: In the wake of the rain that lashed Nagpur earlier this week, Union minister Nitin Gadkari directed the district administration to conduct a spot-wise assessment of the affected areas and submit a detailed report within eight days. In a high-level meeting at Niyojan Bhavan on Saturday to evaluate the rain-related situation and review various infrastructure projects, Gadkari took the administration to task over waterlogging reported across the city. Gadkari also expressed concern over the chaos caused by the downpour, which led to water entering homes in several low-lying localities, inconveniencing hundreds of residents. Sources said Gadkari again directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) to strengthen the city's stormwater drainage system, particularly in low-lying areas that were severely affected by recent rain. A key suggestion that emerged was to develop "stock model drains" in vulnerable low-lying zones to reduce waterlogging. Officials claimed that the flooding in Besa-Beltarodi and Manish Nagar was caused due to illegal constructions. Gadkari instructed officials to demolish unauthorized structures. MLA Khopde raised concerns about the situation in the Pardi area, while MLA Pravin Datke highlighted flooding near Metro stations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Do you have a mouse? Desert Order Undo Gadkari instructed officials to conduct on-site inspections of each affected locality to understand the root causes and prevent recurrence. During the meeting, Gadkari also pushed for key infrastructure approvals. He directed officials to sanction the Butibori–Umred Road under the Central Road Fund (CRF). The minister also asked for immediate approval of the DPR for the proposed national highway connecting Karanja, Lohari Sawanga, Bharshingi, Kharsoli, Narkhed, and the Madhya Pradesh border. In another major development, Gadkari approved the proposal for constructing a Dragon Palace Metro Station in Kamptee and instructed that necessary parking infrastructure be developed alongside. A road-widening proposal for facilitating Metro construction in the area was also approved. The proposal for a ropeway project in Koradi, connecting Shri Mahadev Tekdi and Hanuman Mandir under the Mahalakshmi Devasthan Trust was also discussed during the meeting. Gadkari directed the concerned authorities to submit a formal proposal, assuring funds for the project.
New Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Government plans 20-km elevated road over Munak Canal at estimated cost of Rs 3,000 crore
NEW DELHI: In a move to boost the national capital's transport infrastructure and provide an alternative route to commuters, the Delhi government is planning to construct a 20-kilometre-long elevated road over the Munak Canal, connecting Inderlok to Bawana in northwest Delhi. The corridor will benefit 18 assembly constituencies, two parliamentary constituencies, and 35 municipal wards. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 3,000 crore and is expected to take three years from the date of commencement. The Munak Canal, a 102-kilometre aqueduct that runs from Haryana to Delhi, is a key water supply channel. Originally built to reduce water loss in the Western Yamuna Canal, it now serves as the foundation for a crucial elevated road aimed at decongesting traffic and improving connectivity. The project was discussed in a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and PWD Minister Parvesh Verma on Thursday, attended by senior PWD officials. 'This elevated corridor will benefit 18 assembly constituencies, two parliamentary constituencies, and 35 municipal wards. It will significantly improve transportation for a large population,' Verma said. While the project will be executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Delhi Public Works Department will handle funding, land clearances, and local coordination. A detailed project report (DPR) is being prepared and is likely to be completed within three months. A no-objection certificate has also been sought from the Haryana government, as the canal partially lies in Haryana. The elevated road will connect with Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II), strengthening Delhi's outer ring road network and easing access to northern and western regions. Meanwhile, the Delhi government is working on transforming the Najafgarh drain into a 30 MW canal-top solar corridor and has submitted a Rs 950-crore plan to reconstruct 415 kilometres of city roads under the Central Road Fund (CRF), including stretches like Outer Ring Road, Mathura Road, Najafgarh Road, and Vikas Marg. NHAI is also planning an eastern extension of UER-II to route traffic through northeast Delhi into Ghaziabad and Noida.
