Conditional Approval Granted for Night-Time Infrastructure Works; DM Takes Tough Stand on Delays
Assistant Engineer Receives Adverse Entry for Keeping a Two-Day Project Pending for Six Months
Agencies Failing to Complete Work Within Deadlines Will Face Heavy Penalties
Public Convenience Is Paramount; No Leniency in Development Works: DM Dr. Ashish Chauhan
Dehradun:
In a bid to accelerate development projects while ensuring minimal inconvenience to the public, District Magistrate (DM) Dr. Ashish Chauhan chaired an important meeting of the District-Level Project Coordination Committee on Monday. The meeting reviewed various underground infrastructure and utility projects proposed by different departments and agencies across the district.
Proposals from 14 departments and agencies, including the Drinking Water Corporation, Jal Sansthan, Electricity Department, GAIL, Vodafone, Tata Communications, KfW, and other public sector organizations, were examined in detail. Considering public convenience and traffic management requirements, conditional permission was granted for certain high-priority projects to be executed during night hours, from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM.
The District Magistrate emphasized that while development works are essential for public welfare, they should not cause undue inconvenience to residents. He directed all executing agencies to ensure prior public notification, deploy adequate machinery and manpower, and complete projects within the stipulated timelines.
No Road Cutting on Recently Restored Roads During Monsoon
Taking note of the ongoing monsoon season, the DM instructed departments to exercise extreme caution. He stated that no excavation or road-cutting permissions would be granted on roads that have recently undergone resurfacing or restoration. Such activities, he noted, could adversely affect road safety, traffic flow, and public convenience during the rainy season.
Accountability Fixed for Six-Month Delay
During the review, the DM expressed strong displeasure over a sewer chamber construction and trunk line interconnection project near Hotel Regent on EC Road. The work, which could have been completed within two to three days, had remained pending for approval since December.
Terming the delay a serious administrative lapse, Dr. Chauhan ordered an adverse entry against the concerned Assistant Engineer of the PIU Smart City project. He stated that unnecessary delays in development projects not only inconvenience the public but also affect project efficiency and increase costs.
Official WhatsApp Group to Improve Coordination
To strengthen inter-departmental coordination and ensure timely communication, the District Magistrate directed the formation of an official WhatsApp group comprising all competent officers involved in project execution.
He said the platform would facilitate regular monitoring, faster decision-making, prompt issue resolution, and help eliminate communication gaps among departments.
Heavy Penalties for Missing Deadlines
Issuing a stern warning to executing agencies, the DM stated that agencies failing to complete approved works within the prescribed timeframe would be served show-cause notices. Recovery proceedings could also be initiated, along with substantial financial penalties.
He made it clear that negligence, indifference, or non-compliance in development works would not be tolerated and strict accountability would be enforced.
Agencies Responsible for Repairing Damaged Public Assets
Dr. Chauhan further directed that if any utility infrastructure—such as water pipelines, power lines, communication cables, or other public assets—is damaged during civil works, the concerned agency must immediately coordinate with the affected department and restore the asset without delay.
All agencies were instructed to deploy adequate manpower and machinery to ensure timely and high-quality execution of projects.
No Compromise on Safety Standards
The District Magistrate categorically stated that unauthorized road cutting, leaving excavations unattended, exceeding approved excavation limits, or neglecting safety measures would be treated as serious violations. Such cases could attract strict administrative action, including seizure of equipment, financial penalties, and legal proceedings.
He directed that all pits dug during night operations must be refilled before morning. Additionally, agencies must install proper barricading, warning signs, reflectors, and information boards at work sites to ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists.
Officials Present at the Meeting
The meeting was attended by Superintending Engineer Ompal Singh (PWD), Superintending Engineer Vikram Gautam (PITCUL), GAIL General Manager Ambuj Gautam, Jal Sansthan Executive Engineer Ashish Bhatt, PWD Executive Engineer Rajesh Kumar, ADB Executive Engineer Arun Kant, UUSDA Executive Engineer Jatin Singh, NFS Defence Officer L.S. Tomar, Vijendra Tomar, and senior officials from various departments and executing agencies.
Concluding the meeting, the District Magistrate reiterated that both development and public convenience remain the administration’s top priorities, and any delay, negligence, or compromise with prescribed standards would invite strict action.
