Aurangabad, Nov 9:
The Public Works Department (PWD) is facing the disappointment of civil contractors who are denying to undertake works to repair the roads due to non-payment of their outstanding. Hence the office is impatiently waiting to get funds from the state government by the end of this month. Thus, if all goes well, PWD may start or undertake the works to repair the roads after the Diwali festival.
The roads have been damaged severely due to downpour in the region. A large number of deep potholes posing a threat to vehicular traffic have been formed on the roads. After inspection, the PWD (Aurangabad Zone) submitted a proposal seeking Rs 45.79 crore fund to repair the roads from Aurangabad and Jalna districts. It includes Rs 26.65 crore for Aurangabad district and Rs 19.14 crore for Jalna district. Besides, the PWD also demanded an aid of Rs 20.96 crore to undertake the repair of roads during the whole year. The office sought Rs 16.48 crore for roads in Aurangabad district and Rs 4.48 crore for roads in Jalna district. Hence PWD demanded Rs 66.75 crore for roads, apart from repairing of bridges.
Earlier, the state''s PWD minister Ashok Chavan had inspected the condition of roads in Aurangabad and Jalna districts. He announced an aid of Rs 542 crore for repairing of roads that are damaged in monsoon, in the state.
When contacted PWD''s superintending engineer, Suresh Deshpande said, " The heavy rainfall had damaged the roads and bridges in Aurangabad and Jalna districts. We had submitted the proposal of Rs 77 crore for repairing of roads and bridges in both the districts. Moreover, there are no restrictions of election code of conduct to undertake the repair works. Hence we are hoping the works are likely to be started after the Diwali festival."