Valsad district collector Kshipra Agre fined project director of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Suraj Singh Rs 7,500 for not completing highway repair and maintenance work on NH 48.
The District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) of Valsad had ordered the NHAI to repair certain sections of the NH48 recently. The DRSC found that NHAI did not undertake the repair work of flyover bridges on NH48 in Valsad district despite several reminders.
The flyover bridges had insufficient lighting and lacked proper markings on the road.
Further, it was found that the lighting on the highway was insufficient and there were no signboards at important junctions and locations.
Not installing signboards at important locations can lead to accidents, the committee observed in its order. The DRSC visited blind spots as well on NH 48 stretch that passes through the Valsad district to examine the conditions of the roads and signboards there.
NHAI officers were given instructions by DRSC during meetings. “The NHAI officials were informed and instructed to complete the required repair work, install lighting and signboards. Despite multiple reminders when the instructions were not followed I had to fine the NHAI officer,” said Valsad district collector Kshipra Agre.
During the DRSC meetings, NHAI officials also remain present. The meeting is held every month and the officers review the developments on issues discussed during the previous meeting.
During monsoon, a video of a pothole-ridden road connecting the national highway with Silvassa and Vapi had gone viral. The potholes had made it impossible for any vehicle to cross the stretch without damage.
The NHAI officials had to face the ire of Surat district collector as well in the past due to negligence in highway repair work in Surat district.
