Yogi sets Oct 10 deadline for pothole-free roads in UP

Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday directed the authorities to get all state roads free of potholes by Oct 10, ahead of the upcoming festivals, including Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali.
During a meeting with various department officials, Yogi stressed that traffic increases significantly during festivals, with many foreign tourists visiting the state.He emphasised the collective responsibility of departments to ensure that every person has a pleasant experience while using the roads in the state.
He categorically ruled out any shortage of funds for road projects while directing departments to coordinate for better planning.
The CM pitched for geo-tagging of the pothole removal and road reconstruction campaign. This, he said, should be linked to the PM Gatishakti portal, and a dedicated portal should also be developed to enable continuous monitoring of work quality.
Giving instructions to Mandi Parishad, the CM emphasised that farmers were the primary users of roads and that their convenience must be prioritised. He asserted that roads be constructed using the FDR method, which conserves natural resources, reduces costs and time while enhancing work quality.
He told the NHAI officials that toll taxes should not be collected until the highway construction is fully completed.
He instructed all departments to ensure that the road construction agency or contractor assumes responsibility for maintaining the road for the next five years after its completion. He said that the departmental minister and officers should conduct random field visits and review construction projects on a weekly basis.
Yogi stressed the importance of mechanising the work rather than relying on manual labour. He said that all departments should be equipped with sufficient machinery for road repairs, and the process of patching roads should be automated.
He pointed out that high-speed breakers on the roads can lead to accidents. Yogi recommended the construction of table-top speed breakers to enhance safety.
He emphasised the importance of advancing the repair work on the expressway to ensure smooth transportation during the festivals. Additionally, he directed that an action plan be prepared for the repair of roads constructed under MP and MLA funds.
The Chief Minister stated that the sugarcane department should oversee the repair of buildings belonging to the Sugarcane Committee and schools. He noted that the concept of village secretariats has been recognised by the Central govt as a model for the state.
He said that the concept of smart roads should be promoted in key locations within Nagar Panchayats, Municipal Corporations, and Municipal Councils across all districts.
Yogi emphasised that illegal colonies should not be permitted to develop under any circumstances. He instructed that the handover of new colonies should occur only after ensuring the availability of essential facilities such as roads, electricity, and water.