Latest news with #DBM
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Gaimukh ghat stretch on Ghodbunder highway gets durable overhaul to withstand heavy traffic
Thane: The Gaimukh Ghat stretch on Ghodbunder Highway which is a vital road link connecting Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Gujarat, Nashik, and North Maharashtra, is finally getting a durable overhaul, expected to withstand the heavy daily traffic movement on the route, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde announced on Friday. Shinde, while inspecting the repair works on the stretch, admitted that previous repeated repairs on the barely 800 meter stretch of the 14 km long highway, failed, especially during monsoons when potholes and flooding crippled the traffic movement, often causing massive snarls that stretched till Thane city. This highway, which partly cuts through Thane and Mira Bhayander limits, sees a mix of nearly a lakh outbound and city traffic sharing space and facing frequent congestion due to damaged road stretches, regulars complain. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai "We have undertaken blocks on the highway for three days to carry out extensive repair works that involve digging, levelling the existing stretch, and constructing a strong base with Water Bound Macadam (WBM), followed by grouting and Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM). A 4-inch layer of durable mastic, known for its concrete-like strength, will be later applied on the top to ensure long-lasting durability," Shinde informed the media during a surprise visit to the spot. A 60-meter-wide elevated road has also been approved to tackle the region's crushing traffic. Forest department approvals are expected to clear soon, Shinde said. Officials said channels are also being built alongside the road to permanently tackle waterlogging instances. "This highway is a critical artery connecting Mumbai with other parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Prioritising its repair was necessary. Once done, this stretch will stand strong through heavy rains and relentless traffic," said a senior official. Meanwhile, commuters using the highway on the festive weekend complained of delays as two of the four lanes were barricaded for repairs. Thane traffic police urged travellers to use alternative routes. 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. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
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GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
DOTr eyes busway stations in Cubao, PITX in 2026
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) aims to construct busway stations in Cubao in Quezon City and the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange in 2026 as part of its ''commuter-centric'' initiatives. According to Joseph Morong's report on '24 Oras' on Thursday, the establishment of two new busway stations is on top of the rehabilitation of the existing busway stations—Monumento, Bagong Barrio, North Avenue, and Guadalupe. 'Kaya nga pinili natin yun as two new stations kasi nga madaming sumasakay,' said Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon. (That's precisely why we chose those as the two new stations because there are many commuters.) The DOTr said that some 250,000 commuters benefit from the busway stations daily. 'Tama na yung pagiging car-centric natin sa pag-iisip natin sa transport infrastructure, kailangan maging commuter-centric naman tayo,' said Dizon. (It's time to move beyond our car-centric thinking in transport infrastructure; we need to become commuter-centric.) 'Yung access ng PWD, yung kababaihan, mga bata po, mga buntis, senior citizen, although yung iba pong istasyon mayroong elevator at escalator, yung iba po kasi maliit, tingnan po natin, ipinapaubaya ko po sa mga eksperto kung ano po ang magandang solusyon,' said Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman. (Regarding the access for PWDs, women, children, pregnant individuals, and senior citizens, although some stations have elevators and escalators, others are still small. Let's see, I'm leaving it to the experts to find the best solution.) The government will also replace the controversial high overpass in Kamuning, Quezon City. The DOTr's budget was slashed by P100 billion this year, which, according to the government, has delayed the progress of major infrastructure projects like the Metro Manila Subway and the North-South Commuter Railway Project. A portion of the budget for these projects has been loaned from other countries, according to the report. The DBM explained that the P100 billion was reallocated by the Congress for other projects. 'Naka-pool yung lahat ng binawas, and then ilalagay nila sa mga programs and departments na priority nila during that time,' said Pangandaman. (All the budget cuts were pooled, and then they'll allocate it to the programs and departments that are their priority during that time.) The budget for the EDSA busway rehabilitation was sourced from the continuing appropriations, or the funds that were not utilized last year. The DOTr has a proposed budget of P200 billion for next year. Both the DOTr and the DBM are hoping there will be no significant reduction from the proposed amount, as the government is also working to improve active transport infrastructure such as the elevated bike lanes and parking areas for public utility vehicles in Quezon City. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/VBL, GMA Integrated News
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Residents struggle with faulty amenities in Gurugram
Residents of Sector 79 and its adjoining neighbourhoods are struggling with deteriorating civic infrastructure, which they say has worsened in recent weeks due to heavy rainfall. Waterlogged roads, deep potholes, stray cattle, and toxic dust from nearby ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants have created 'inhumane living conditions', said locals. A view of the Sector 79 road in Gurugram. (HT Photo) The impact is most visible along the Rampura–Naurangpur Road and across sectors 77, 78, and 79, where roads have disintegrated into slush-filled craters where commuters are forced to navigate through knee-deep water, risking vehicle damage and accidents. To be sure, the sanitation upkeep in sectors 77, 78, and 79 is maintained by the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) and the jurisdiction of the roads are under the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA). 'With the onset of the monsoon, the situation has deteriorated beyond acceptable limits,' said Maj Gen Subhash Gogna (Retd), a resident of Mapsko Mount Ville. 'These roads are virtually unusable. Our vehicles take a hit every time we step out. GMDA has taken no visible steps towards emergency repairs. While we wait for DBM surfacing, they must deploy pumps and activate storm drains.' Gogna, who recently submitted a detailed letter to civic authorities, also flagged the unchecked presence of stray cattle as a persistent road safety and hygiene threat. 'Cattle regularly occupy roads near our society gates. This is not just an eyesore but a real hazard, especially for school-going children and senior citizens. Despite multiple complaints, there's been no intervention from MCG.' Residents have also raised alarm over the environmental impact of two RMC plants operating in close proximity to residential complexes. These plants, once permitted when the area was largely vacant, now contribute to high levels of dust and air pollution. 'These mixing units are running right next to habitable zones. Concrete spills, continuous movement of heavy trucks, and particulate dust have taken over our lives. Repeated requests to the department of town and country planning (DTCP) for shifting these plants have gone unanswered,' Gogna said. Pradeep Dahiya, MCG commissioner said that now they have over 300 vehicles for clearing and collection of waste from door to door. 'Our teams are on the ground and are clearing the legacy waste one by one. The situation will get better in coming days,' said Dahiya. Yogender Mohan Ambardar, another resident, pointed to the deteriorating road quality and pollution levels: 'The section near Mapsko Mount Ville is in shambles. The roads have been battered by construction trucks. The RMC plants have made the air unbreathable. The cattle, illegal vendors, and unreliable sewer lines only add to the chaos. The administration has gone silent.' Mohit Verma, also a resident of Sector 79, said the situation has crossed the threshold of tolerance. 'Every spell of rain turns our roads into pools of disease and filth. Overflowing sewer lines emit unbearable stench. We pay our taxes expecting at least basic services. What we get is silence.' For many residents, the lack of accountability is the most frustrating. 'How long are we supposed to live like this?' asked Vikram Singh, a resident. 'Ongoing construction, cattle roaming freely, and a collapsing infrastructure have made this place unlivable. Is this the idea of urban development?' Responding to these complaints, a Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) official said, 'We are aware of the situation and are actively working on addressing these concerns. The agency has been directed to fill the potholes and carry out the rectification work. The road will be made motorable within two days.'
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DBM eyes 'menu system' for infra, flood projects to fight issues on insertions
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is pushing for a nationwide 'menu' of pre-identified infrastructure projects starting with flood mitigation programs to solve issues regarding budget insertions. In a radio interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Tuesday, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman explained that creating a menu of pre-approved infrastructure projects across the country would allow agencies and lawmakers to choose from a list of thoroughly evaluated proposals. These projects, she said, are already aligned with national priorities and available funding under the President's budget or the National Expenditure Program (NEP). 'Ang naisip po sana namin na maganda ay magkaroon kami ng menu ng mga proyekto sa buong Pilipinas. Kung kaya namin kaagad, kunyari sa flood control and water management, makapag-identify kami ng sampu. Kunwari po, tapos napondohan namin sa President's budget o kaya sa NEP, kung sa tingin nila hindi yan priority pa ngayon, pwede sila tumingin sa ibang menu na meron kami," said Pangandaman. (What we're thinking of doing is creating a menu of projects across the Philippines. If we can immediately identify, say, ten flood control and water management projects and fund them in the President's budget or the NEP, and if lawmakers think those aren't a current priority, they can look at other projects on our menu.) She also said that the government is working toward a more "coordinated and data-driven approach" in allocating funds, particularly for flood mitigation projects. "'Di lang yan one-size-fits-all na solusyon. Marami pwedeng solusyon na gawin depende sa lugar at area," said Pangandaman. (Flood mitigation isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. There are many possible approaches depending on the location and area.) Pangandaman added that the DBM has already incorporated this principle into the national budget process, ensuring that agencies are involved in project planning to maximize efficiency. 'Para makatipid tayo sa pondo, tsaka to ensure na tama yung pagpa-plano. Nilagay natin yan sa budget, lahat ng ahensya may stake doon at gagawin ang proyekto," she added. (To save funds and ensure proper planning, we included this in the budget. All agencies have a stake in it and will implement the project.) President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in July approved the P6.793-trillion NEP for Fiscal Year 2026. Pangandaman said the President himself sat down with the different agencies to ensure that all the priorities are aligned towards the common goal of achieving the vision of a Bagong Pilipinas. Vetting Pangandaman, meanwhile, made clear that projects inserted into the budget outside the official process, such as those coming from lawmakers, will not be considered if they were not technically vetted. 'Hindi po, hindi po namin maco-consider yung tinatawag na insertion kasi hindi kasama yon sa napag-aralan namin," she said. (No, we cannot consider what's called an insertion because it's not part of what we have studied.) She also warned that bypassing this system by inserting unstudied projects risks wasting time, money, and resources. 'Pero sana po hindi po manggaling sa hindi napag-aralan, yung basta lang po inilagay doon, kasi masasayang yung napaghandaan namin na menu na iyon," she added. (But hopefully, it doesn't come from something unstudied—just added there—because it would waste the planned and prepared project menu we worked on.) From 2023 to 2025, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) received around P980.25 billion for flood control initiatives—an average of P326.75 billion annually—according to GMA Integrated News Research. In his 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the DPWH to submit a complete list of all flood control projects, both completed and ongoing, to evaluate delays and flag possible ghost projects. DPWH Secretary Manuel 'Manny' Bonoan has since admitted that the agency lacks a monitoring system for some flood control initiatives—particularly those inserted by lawmakers without undergoing technical review. —Sherylin Untalan/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
OVP 2026 budget ‘feasible' sans confidential funds — Win Gatchalian
The proposed budget of the Office of the Vice President for fiscal year 2026 is 'feasible' as long as it has no confidential funds, Senate finance committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian said Monday. At a press conference, Gatchalian said that he will be 'very strict' when it comes to the proposed confidential and intelligence funds under the 2026 national budget, stressing that it 'will no longer be free for all' and will only be limited to enforcement and intelligence agencies. 'From what I have seen, 'yung pinaka-contentious do'n ang confidential funds di ba? And for the 2025 budget wala na 'yun. In fact, bare bones na ang OVP budget, 'yung mga talagang kailangan nila sa kanilang operations and some projects ni Vice President,' the senator said. (From what I have seen, the confidential funds are the most contentious, right? And for the 2025 budget, the OVP no longer has that. In fact, the OVP budget is bare bones, and they only have a budget for their operations and some projects of the Vice President.) 'So, as long as wala na ang contentious items doon, which is the confidential funds, feasible naman ang budget ngayon ng OVP,' he added. (So, as long as the contentious items are gone, which is the confidential funds, the OVP budget is now feasible.) The proposed 2026 budget of the OVP, under the leadership of Vice President Sara Duterte, has increased by P170 million from the current fiscal year—-from P733 million to P903 million, according to spokesperson Ruth Castelo. Castelo also confirmed that the OVP will not be requesting any confidential funds for next year. 'No confidential funds. Hindi naman na tayo nag-request niyan [we didn't request]… If they want to give, they want to give,' she explained. Last year, the House decided to reduce the budget of the OVP from the originally proposed P2 billion to P733 million amid Duterte's refusal to answer lawmakers' questions on OVP budget use, including confidential funds. The Senate retained the House-introduced budget cut despite calls from Duterte's allies to restore some of the OVP's proposed funding for social services. 'Golden age of transparency' Further, Gatchalian said that amid the public clamor for transparency and accountability, he will push to make more budget documents—-from the National Expenditure Program until it becomes the General Appropriations Act—-available online for the public to easily access it. 'Kung ikaw ay publiko at gusto mo i-analyze ang budget, makikita mo lang ang step 1 at 'yung last step. Pero hindi ko makikita 'yung i-step by i-step…dahil kulang kulang 'yung paga-upload ng documents,' he said. (If you want to analyze the budget, you can only see step 1 and the last step. But you can't see it step by step because not all documents are being uploaded.) 'So, ire-require namin ngayon ang DBM to go one step further. Meron silang tinatawag na budget preparation form 201. Lahat ng mga requests ng mga ahensya binibigay sa DBM. Ire-request namin ngayon na i-upload rin sa website para malaman ng taumbayan kung ano ba ang nire-request ng mga agencies,' he added. (So, we will now require DBM to go one step further. They have a budget preparation form 201 which contains the budget requests of all agencies. We will now request for it to be uploaded to the website so that the people will know how much the agencies are requesting us.) Transparency and accountability. Isinusulong natin na i-upload online ang lahat ng dokumento pagdating sa 2026 national budget. — Win Gatchalian (@WinGatchalian74) August 4, 2025 The chairman of the Senate committee on finance also said that they will request the House of Representatives to upload their version of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) on their website and send a digital format to the Senate. He said the Senate will also do the same for its own version of the bill. The reconciled version by both chambers will likewise be uploaded online so that the public can scrutinize the changes in the budget before it gets delivered to Malacañang for the President's signature. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
