A good news for motorists. Roads across the State will be declared pothole-free from February 1.

And, if you find a pothole on any stretch of State and district roads, you can directly call Principal Secretary to Public Works Department (PWD) Sudhir Krishna on his mobile 9448272222 and lodge a complaint.

This was announced by Sudhir Krishna himself at the launch of e-payment system by the Union Ministry of Surface Transport and Shipping in Bangalore on Wednesday.

He further said a major drive to fill up potholes and to repair damaged stretches of roads, has been taken up. 

This apart, PWD will soon take up KSHIP - II project, and the world Bank has agreed to extend a whopping Rs 6,000 crore loan in this regard. Under the project, 3,011 kms of State highway will be upgraded. The contractor, who will be undertaking the project implementation, will also maintain the road for six years. Maintenance will be one of tender conditions.

The loan is re-payable in 20 years at 5 per cent interest and initial five years moratorium will be there on re-payment, Mr Krishna said.

Similarly, Asian Development Bank has agreed to lend Rs 2,800 crore for State highway improvement. Besides, talks are on with Japan Bank of International Co-operation to draw a loan for improving district roads in the State, he added.

“Though district roads are not economically important, they are certainly vital for social development,” Mr Krishna said.

e-payment

Union Minister of State for Surface Transport K H Muniyappa later launched electronic payment system for all agencies involved in road construction. For this, the Ministry has a tie up with Syndicate Bank.

Under the new system, the bank will deposit the amount to the contractors (amount towards clearing bills) within 24 hours of receiving the pay order from the department. This will, in turn, do away with using DDs and cheques and, thereby, avoid delay, Mr Muniyappa said. The system will be extended across the country from April 2008.

PLUGGING HOLES

*State roads will be pothole-free from February

*If one finds any, call Principal Secretary, PWD, on 9448272222

*A major drive is underway to fill potholes now

*PWD to soon start KSHIP-II project