Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Bhupendra Patel held a high-level review meeting on Monday to assess the condition of roads, bridges, and highways across the state in the wake of heavy monsoon rains. He directed officials to carry out urgent repairs on a war footing to restore public transport infrastructure and prevent any disruption to daily life.
Immediate Repairs Mandated Without Waiting for End of Rainfall
Emphasising the critical importance of roads and highways in both development and public mobility, CM Patel instructed that no time be wasted—even during breaks in rainfall or on holidays. He underscored that “not a single day should be lost” and that all departments must stay alert and proactive.
He urged officials to ensure that repairs, including patchwork and road resurfacing, begin immediately wherever needed. Urban and rural roads, state highways, and national highways must all be prioritised, especially in rain-hit areas.
Accountability for Contractors During Defect Liability Period
CM Patel stressed that contractors must be held accountable for damages that occur within the Defect Liability Period. He ordered the respective departments to take corrective action and enforce quality standards strictly.
He noted, “Repair quality should never be compromised. Contractors responsible for poor workmanship must face consequences.”
Urban Flooding and Underpass Waterlogging Require Long-Term Solutions
Addressing concerns related to urban infrastructure, the Chief Minister pointed to recurring problems of underpass flooding and waterlogging in metropolitan areas. He instructed municipal corporations to implement permanent and long-term solutions beyond temporary fixes, ensuring city life is not hampered each monsoon.
Municipal Commissioners participated in the meeting via video conferencing and were given clear directives to act swiftly.
Coordination Among Departments Essential for Timely Execution
The Chief Minister called for seamless coordination between the Roads and Buildings Department, NHAI, Panchayats, Municipalities, and Corporations. He directed them to act as one cohesive unit to ensure fast and efficient repair execution.
He also highlighted the role of the 24×7 Control Room at Nirman Bhavan, which receives real-time reports on damage and alerts engineers to reach sites immediately for repair arrangements.
Repair Progress Reviewed: 243 Bridges Under Repair, 83 KM of NH Damaged
During the presentation, officials informed the Chief Minister that:
- 243 bridges across Gujarat are currently under repair, with diversion and monitoring in place.
- 83 km of National Highways suffered monsoon damage, of which 58 km have already been repaired.
The remaining 25 km of National Highways will be completed soon.
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Focus on Public Convenience and Timely Completion
CM Patel reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that daily life remains uninterrupted during monsoon repairs. He reiterated that timely, quality repairs are essential to meeting public expectations and upholding infrastructure resilience.
He concluded by saying that the State Government would leave no stone unturned in restoring infrastructure affected by monsoon conditions.
Top Officials Present at the Review Meeting
The review meeting was attended by:
- Chief Secretary Mr. Pankaj Joshi
- Additional Principal Secretary to CM Smt. Avantika Singh
- Advisor Mr. S.S. Rathore
- Urban Development Principal Secretary Mr. Thennarasan
- Secretary to CM Dr. Vikrant Pandey
- Roads & Buildings Secretary Mr. Prabhat Pateliya
- Senior officials from NHAI and other departments
