'Confident that the new roads will last longer'

Raj Kumar Chauhan, Delhi PWD minister, answers questions regarding the condition of roads in the Capital.

Raj Kumar Chauhan, Delhi PWD minister, answers questions regarding the condition of roads in the Capital.

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The PWD took over several roads from the MCD. How will you ensure their good shape?
We had received several complaints about the poor upkeep of these roads and decided to take them over. After that, we commissioned a study by the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee and Delhi Technical University.

They suggested several ways to strengthen these roads. We are simply following them, rather than carrying out ad-hoc work. We are confident these roads will last longer.

Many-a-time, roads break down within months of construction.
The private firm that builds the road will be responsible for its maintenance for five years. They will be penalised for non-performance. Also, as they constructed the road, they would know what is best for the road.

PWD has a huge network of arterial roads, many of which are potholed, especially the flyovers.
We have already started repair work on a few flyovers and will carry out a survey to find out which roads need repair.

Many newly built roads have been dug up by several agencies. They are in shambles since then.
This is big problem as agencies dig up the stretch and leave it in that condition. We have told our engineers not to give such permissions if the roads are new.