'No Toll Collection Till Potholes Are Fixed': UP CM Yogi Adityanath Tells NHAI Officials

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has ordered all potholes to be repaired by October 10 and has asked NHAI officials to stop toll collection on highways until all roads are fixed.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chairs the meeting on road maintenance.

Source : X

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday issued a deadline to remove all potholes on the state's roads. According to CM Yogi Adityanath's instructions, the campaign to eliminate potholes will have to be completed by October 10, ahead of major festivals like Sharadiya Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali. Addressing officials from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Adityanath ordered that toll taxes should not be collected on highways until the construction work is fully finished.

During an inter-department meeting, CM Adityanath stressed that festive seasons see a significant rise in traffic. The number of international tourists also increases in the state during the festive season he was quoted by news agency PTI. He highlighted the "collective responsibility" of ensuring that citizens and visitors alike have a smooth and enjoyable experience while using the state's roads, according to an official statement.

The recent bout of rain and floods laid bare the appalling condition of roads in Uttar Pradesh. Roads across the state, including those in Noida's NCR and state capital Lucknow, were seen peeling off.

Uttar Pradesh, Amethi: On the Jagdishpur-Ayodhya route, the roads from Hanumanganj Chowk to Ramganj are in a deplorable condition, with severe potholes 3-4 feet deep and significant waterlogging. These large potholes are causing difficulties for travelers and local residents pic.twitter.com/yMnZwADS7x

— IANS (@ians_india) August 28, 2024

CM Yogi emphasised maintaining high standards in pothole repairs and overall road maintenance. He also highlighted the need for farmers, as key users of rural roads, to have unhindered access to well-maintained routes. CM Adityanath directed officials to employ the Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) method for road construction, which is cost-effective, conserves natural resources, and improves the quality of the work. He further instructed that all repair and drainage projects overseen by the Mandi Samiti be completed within the stipulated timeframe, with strict attention to construction quality.

On Sunday, a portion of a road collapsed in #VikasNagar, #Lucknow, #UttarPradesh. A video of the incident surfaced, showing traffic passing by at the time. This road has experienced significant #Potholes three times in the past. pic.twitter.com/WO7CaVDYoc

— Siraj Noorani (@sirajnoorani) July 7, 2024

'Construction Agencies Responsible For Roads For 5 Years'

While reviewing the progress of the pothole removal initiative, the Chief Minister assured there would be no shortage of funds for road projects. He called for inter-departmental coordination to enhance project planning and efficiency. Additionally, he directed that road construction agencies or contractors be held responsible for maintaining the roads for five years after completion, with clear guidelines established in this regard.

Adityanath also urged departmental ministers and officers to conduct random field inspections of construction sites and review projects on a weekly basis, ensuring accountability for the quality of the work.

To improve efficiency, the chief minister encouraged the use of mechanized road repair methods instead of relying on manual labour. He insisted that all departments must be equipped with adequate machinery for road maintenance and that patchwork on roads should be automated.

Uttar Pradesh

In a unique protest, frustrated residents of Raebareli's Dalmau Kotwali area took matters into their own hands by planting paddy in the potholes on NH 32, a road riddled with craters. pic.twitter.com/0BHNBFfadt

— Avinash K S🇮🇳 (@AvinashKS14) July 7, 2024

Adityanath also pointed out that proper repairs must follow the laying of sewer lines and pipelines to avoid damage to the roads. He recommended the construction of table-top speed breakers as a safer alternative to traditional speed bumps, which are often linked to accidents.

CM Yogi stressed the importance of geo-tagging the entire pothole removal and road reconstruction campaign. He said that this initiative be linked to the PM Gatishakti portal for better oversight and that a dedicated portal be created to continuously monitor the quality of roadwork. CM Adityanath also pointed out the need to expedite repairs on the state's expressways to ensure smooth travel during the festival season. He also ordered that a detailed plan be developed for fixing roads constructed using MP and MLA funds, according to the statement.