Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Launches Major Road Infrastructure Overhaul
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation is embarking on one of its most ambitious infrastructure initiatives to date—a comprehensive plan to recarpet approximately 529 kilometers of city roads in the upcoming financial year starting April 1. This extensive project is backed by an estimated budget exceeding Rs 87 crore, with the engineering wing already initiating the tender process across all three Building and Roads (B&R) sub-divisions. The primary objective is to complete the majority of the work before the onset of the monsoon season, ensuring minimal disruption and enhanced durability.
Second Phase of Recarpeting Programme Underway
This latest round of tenders represents the second phase of an ongoing recarpeting programme that commenced last year. The scope of work encompasses all V-4, V-5, and V-6 sector roads, which include the internal roads that divide and run within sectors, as well as parking lots in commercial areas and select colonies throughout the city. With the B&R wing comprising 12 sub-divisions covering the entire urban area, tenders are being floated on a sub-division-wise basis by the respective executive engineers (XENs). These officials are tasked with allotting the works and overseeing them until completion, with a strict focus on adhering to technical specifications, particularly concerning road strength and long-term durability.
Stringent Quality Control and Third-Party Audits
In a move to ensure high standards, the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR), located in Sector 26, will continue its role as the third-party agency for technical audits, as it did in the previous phase. NITTTR will conduct thorough evaluations of the completed work and issue mandatory certifications. According to official sources, payments to the contracting agencies will only be released after NITTTR certifies that the work meets the prescribed quality benchmarks. This emphasis on quality control is a critical component, with officials stressing that it must be rigorously enforced on the ground to guarantee the project's success and longevity.
Progress and Timeline for Completion
Of the Rs 40 crore allocated earlier by the MC's engineering department for recarpeting, works worth around Rs 20 crore were successfully completed before the winter season. The remaining works are scheduled to be taken up in March, as recarpeting activities cannot be conducted during peak winter conditions due to material and weather constraints. An official noted that the pending works will be executed over the next 7 to 10 days, with allotments and approvals already in place, ensuring a swift and efficient progression towards the project's goals.
This initiative underscores the municipal corporation's commitment to enhancing urban infrastructure and improving the quality of life for Chandigarh's residents through timely and quality-driven road improvements.
