ITANAGAR, Jun 12: RWD Minister Bamang Felix on Tuesday drew a roadmap and set a vision for his department to provide connectivity to all the habitations of the state by 2022.
Felix, who recently took over the additional charge of the department, stressed on the plan during a review meeting with the department’s officers in the RWD conference hall here.
“Let us collectively set a target that, when the country celebrates its 75th year of Independence in 2022, each and every habitation, big or small, under the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) or otherwise, across our state is connected by road,” he said.
Felix urged the officers to work sincerely and as a team. He directed the chief engineers to work on the roadmap and draw a comprehensive plan for three years (till 2021-22) for achieving 100% rural connectivity.
The minister also took stock of ongoing projects being executed by the department across the state.
“The RWD is entrusted with the daunting task of rural connectivity, which is not easy due to the difficult terrains of the state, but not impossible,” he said.
“The RWD not only has the onerous responsibility of implementing the all-important PMGSY, but also of providing connectivity to habitations where the PMGSY is not feasible or eligible,” Felix said.
The minister also emphasized on using new methodology and technology for road construction, “in tandem with the geographical and geological conditions of the terrains.”
Due to lack of the right technology, several roads and bridges constructed earlier could not last as expected, he said.
Assuring the officers of full cooperation from the state government, Felix said, “The officers and officials will be given complete freedom to discharge their duties, and at the same time they will be also held accountable. All officers should instill a sense of service to the people for the department to achieve a clean and sincere image.”
RWD Parliamentary Secretary Jambey Tashi also promised his full support and guidance to the department, and advised the officers to pay frequent visits to work sites, seek regular feedback, and monitor the progress of work on all centrally and state-sponsored schemes.
Earlier, the RWD secretary presented a brief on the physical progress, the current profile, and the hindrances faced by the department in implementation of PMGSY projects.
The resident technical advisor presented detailed statistics of the PMGSY projects, elaborating on issues and follow-up measures.
The department’s eastern and western zone chief engineers outlined the major activities of the department.
Besides others, the meeting was attended by the superintendent engineers, executive engineers, and other departmental officials.
