Every year, a road can not be replaced by a new one when it is damaged partly. Each road has a life expectancy when it is proposed, bid and after execution also. Where the contractor is liable for maintenance period, he is likely to maintain it as per terms and conditions. Where, it is not applicable, then, it goes for local tendering to mend the pot holes etc. Highways dept is vested with the responsibility to maintain / build roads .They are the one to do careful justification for the standards set in the contract agreement. Be it selection of materials, methods, contractors etc is to be controlled by them only. So that, the required standard is produced by the executing contractor. No excuse whatsoever need to be shown either to dept / ministry. It is the sole responsibility of engineers at site to ensure the mandatory requirements. It is the sense of belongingness that gives birth to quality roads.
By
KALIYAMOORTHY , Oil & Gas Area Coordinator, Undisclosed
| 03 03 2011 15:03:25 +0000
Both options should be done: improving the riding quality and sometimes rebuilding certain roads helps. In some situations you can’t have one without the other. Many times you can’t completely avoid road maintenance expenses because as long as people use the roads they have to be repaired at some point in time. There should be more done to improve roads so they can withstand the weather conditions & people. Then that could help to reduce maintenance expenses. There should be top quality roads built from the start to help reduce recurring maintenance expenses. In the beginning if the building of roads is done right with top quality utilizing the best materials & technology, that can help to reduce many problems and defects in the roads. Then sometimes a company or government might only incur minimal maintenance expenses. Roads are roads & at some point in time they have to be repaired or rebuilt. Having the right road environment and infrastructure in place is very important for road safety in addition to having better laws & better guidelines. Politicians, policy makers, planners, construction companies etc… should agree on maintenance, building & locations for road developments, including budget allocations. If it is possible, pedestrians or motor vehicles should be given alternative routes during road construction. By incorporating top quality design principles from the start it could help to reduce many problems later. ~Clerical Business Solutions (CBS): The Clerical Business Solutions Company provides business consulting services and specializes in in strategic management, strategic planning & business management.
By
Business Management Consultant, Business Management Consultant, Business Management Specialist & Strategic Planner
| 10 14 2010 23:54:57 +0000
It is not rebuild all the roads in the state or even in corporation or a large municipality. Just consider Thalassery municipality , it has many branch road along with main road s at even 50 m intervals.. from that we can imagine the area of the road surface in a city. If we budgeted for reconstructing the road all the fund should be carried to that head for several years and it is absolutely impossible.. and also how can we guarantee the new roads will sustain.. So the alternative is to maintenance of the road periodically and reconstruct major roads by small degrees gradually ..
By
Reni sebastian, Assistant Engineer, State government of Keralam
| 10 22 2009 15:01:34 +0000
I also thing we should give more stress on improving the riding quality of the roads. India has lots of roads and all are defective. Rebuilding all is not very practical and also what is the guarantee they will sustain for long? How many times we will keep on building ? So its better to improve riding quality of the roads...
By
Kriti Das, HR Manager, ANZ Information Technology
| 10 22 2009 14:28:04 +0000
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doing civil and infrastructure works my self. Let me tell you even the projects for new roads are far from the global standards. We build roads that last 2-3 monsoons max. If we want roads that match international standards, Govt of India has to shell out approx 40lac per kilometer for a 4 lane highway
By
Sarabjeet Singh Johar, BMS student, Mumbai University
| 03 04 2011 11:10:41 +0000
Connectivity is an important aspect of development. While we kudos ourselves being a country that have the largest road network on the planet only second to United States yet we cannot ignore the fact that when the mobility, standard and riding quality is concerned we still have a long way to go. Admitting my limited familiarity in this regard, I completely coincide with the fact that some roads are really being stretched out of there life span with the help of periodic maintenance. The roadworthiness of these roads is quite deficient to accommodate growing vehicle population as a result of which the poor road surfaces cause the tire and other components wear out quicker and also there is an increase in the fuel consumption on account of clogging and traffic snarls. Reconstruction is an excellent alternative to these cases. Of course the time taken for this purpose will be a challenging barrier as the connectivity largely suffers for a significantly longer period, yet the inconveniences can easily be accepted with the assurance of a better infrastructure. As far as the expenses are concerned, nothing is beyond the reach of an honest political will and sincere effort. However improving the riding quality is certainly the other side of the coin. Any infrastructure necessitates maintenance. We should have a group of experts who can dedicatedly decide whether a road needs to be renovated or improved. Also the quality controls if maintained to the desired level will resolute many problems. Wase bhi, as far as the credibility and accountability of our political will, the workmanship, and the use of modern technology and material…etc are concerned rebuilding is nothing but a better opportunity to improve the riding quality of the roads. However I would like to add in some cases constructing new connectivity (read, roads) is the best option instead.
By
Tina acharya, Officer-Team Leader,ICICI Bank
| 11 14 2009 04:42:31 +0000
Acharya ji, Limiting my reply to data provided by you it seems that reconstruction in such cases is a must. The specifications used in the of these roads are undoubtedly sub-standard according to IRC:37 2001. State highways are supposed to carry same load as NH and WBM is obsolete for that. Moreover, as you mentioned it is long time that sub-grade (foundation) was constructed which means it might have failed by fatigue. Prima facie, based on the picture shown by you, this is a fit case for considering re-construction and not periodic maintenance. Topping up will not be as cost effective as reconstruction in long term.
By
Vivek Singh, Project Manager, L&T
| 10 22 2009 03:31:24 +0000
Sir, While aggreeing your logic I wouldlike to invite your attention that this particular debate is specifically on the state highways, Major district district roads & & other district roads which had been constructed long back even (50-60 years back). many roads simply blacktopped over existing WBM. Many state highways particularly in Orissa had been done strengthening its shouldures & black topping it. In all those roads the foundation is constructed long back & the design at that time may not be sufficient to take present day traffic loads. Thus my point is instead of repairing these old roads every year, these should be rebuilt. Your valuable opinion is awaited. Thank you.
By
Biranchi Narayan Acharya, Chief Manager (Projects), Simplex Infrastructures Ltd
| 10 21 2009 12:34:20 +0000
I personally think that roads can be rebuild at least in parts. People suffer in such roads three to four months every year. Again repair or maintance also create difficulties during execution. It would be better to rebuild the roads may in parts like stretches of 50KM. The raod may be allowed to be closed for some months & people can be convinced that this short term difficulties would led to long term comfort. Ofcourse political will is necessary & I am sure political people will not be at loss in supporting such ideas.
As about money, Government has to find some ways as connectivity is an important factor of any state's development. It can be constructed on long term loans, BOT basis etc. Central government should also contribute. We found NHs are being improved & rural roads under PMGSY too has improved. But if the linking roads (SHs & DRs ) donot be upgrade the goal ofconnectivity will remain unfulfilled.
By
Biranchi Narayan Acharya, Chief Manager (Projects), Simplex Infrastructures Ltd
| 10 20 2009 08:12:19 +0000
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