Effective Road Inspection Norms – Duty of JE. - CPWD

[Sanjeev Goyal]

No.SKG/RS/37                                                        16-Jun-2021

           

The councils of State,

Rajya Sabha,

New Delhi-110001.

 

The petition of S K Goyal, D-103 Shivam Apartments, Sector-12/14, Dwarka, New Delhi-110078.

 

Sheweth: Brief… Effective Road Inspection Norms – Duty of JE. - CPWD

Sir,

Sub: Effective Road Inspection Norms – Duty of JE. - CPWD

CPWD is one the premier Government of India agency in the service of country for past more than 150 years. Being at helm of affairs, the norms set by it are treated as ‘model’ by all the other civic bodies of the country. The rules and standards set by it are adopted as-it-is without any change by all the Public Works Departments, Municipalities and other real estate owning agencies. That puts up agency in a greater responsible position as it indirectly sets the Rule of Game for others as well.

In one such issue, while determining the duties of a Junior Engineer of a civil department i.e. PWD or agencies like DDA they have accepted the duties as mentioned in from Page 137 to page 141 of para 36(A) 16 Appendix-1 of CPWD manual - Regular Establishment and office Procedure Edition 2013. 

As citizen we have been facing several issues with respect to improper maintenance of civil infrastructure like roads & footpaths and long been pointing out the deficiencies to departments like PWD, DDA & MCD. However, each time we make a reference they state that road inspection & maintenance is being done as per CPWD norms. Even despite citing glaring instances of errors nothing was done by most of the departments on most of the occasion, the only thing they state that everything is as per norms. After inquiring as to what are the norms, the reference to CPWD manual was provided. Ongoing through this, it was found that this is only a guiding document and expects concerned JE to apply mind to ground situations. For example, we found many zebra crossing are painted on locations where it is impossible to cross the road due to walls/iron grills fixed, or other obstacles in front of it. We find many locations where sign boards have been fixed on roads by the maintenance agency itself rendering it use less for pedestrians and so many.

Due to work load & diversity in thought process many of the JE are not able to perform the duty in an effective & efficient manner leading to commitment of apparent errors and creation of problems. The description of maintenance activities in the CPWD manual is grossly inadequate. Therefore, in order to address the issue it is suggested that one separate paragraph may be added to Appendix-1. The

…cts..2

-2-

paragraph may specify the frequency of road inspection with an illustrative list of check-points relating to handling of day-to-day issues which JE has to observe and record while making road inspection report, the suggestive list for maintenance activities or suggestive action plans could be as under.

1.    Whether any kerb stone/tile is uprooted or caved in on central verge or footpath,

2.    Is there any very high level of entry point of footpath (exceeding 150 mm) requiring steps/slopes or realignment?

3.    Is there any obstruction of any kind on footpath creating problem for pedestrian movement?

4.    Whether any pothole is visible - if yes where and about what size?

5.    Are there any cracks in road to be filled or road caved in?

6.    Is there any missing man-hole or drain cover?

7.    Is there any maintenance work on road/footpath to be done within warranty period?

8.    Is there any falling pole, railing, wire, overhead sign board, tree branch, dead animal, construction material, debris, damaged vehicle or any other kind of material lying etc. lying on road?

9.    Is there any dug up space on footpath or road inadequately barricaded or lying unattended for many days?

10.  Is there any broken or unpainted speed-breaker or zebra crossing? And zebra crossing is free from any obstruction.

11.  Is there any kind of kuchha or pucca encroachment on road or footpath?

12.  Is entry & exit points of footpath have appropriate poles fixed so as to prevent climbing of vehicles on it?

13.  Is there any requirement of signage on road?

14.  Is there any water logging, on road or any overflowing sewer requiring desilting?

15.  Is there any kind of damage street furniture?

16.  Is green belt free from malba & rubbish?

17.  Is there any open space where tree can be planted?

18.  Is soil level in central verge/green strip is at least 4 inch below the edge of kerb stone for allowing rain water to stay there?

19.  Is there any staircase/ramp constructed on road/footpath in violation of guidelines?

20.  Any other issue, as per intelligence of concerned field staff,

In the absence of defined parameters & standard reporting format for road inspection, at present, it is left to the discretion, understanding & free will of the engineer concerned to note or ignore any point. If you ask any civic body it would confirm to conduct periodic road inspection but we all know that potholes are not repaired for several months, footpaths are encroached upon and nothing happens only because these activities never come on record  or even without carrying any inspection, reports can be generated to state that ‘All is well’. Without any maintenance report on defined parameters there can be no performance

…cts..3..

 

-3-

measurement & responsibilities fixed. There should be a website where all such reports are uploaded in a real time manner. The website should be dynamic and must provide option to find out the inspection status & search of any road under respective jurisdiction. The pre-defined parameters will eliminate the understanding gap of different engineers and will bring everything under ‘black & white’ scanner. In several instances we note that potholes are not repaired on a road but another good road is re-carpeted fully - as public has no access to internal reports generated by field staff such imprudent acts keep on happening.

Availability of such reports on website can bring a revolution in maintenance activities of roads and bring much needed transparency.

It is suggested CPWD, which is shouldering the responsibility of preparing guiding norms may be directed to incorporate appropriate changes in the maintenance manual and in real sense fulfill the role of a pioneer agency.

And accordingly, your petitioner prays that –

(i)           In order to guide the field staff, remove the understanding gap and bring uniform work practices the CPWD may please add the illustrative list of check points at relevant place in the road maintenance manual and

(ii)          Prescribe a format of website for uploading road inspection reports by the concerned field staff of every road owning agency in-country and which is also accessible to public.

Appropriate legislation may please be passed for implementation of above.

 

Name of Petitioner	Address	Signature
S K Goyal,	D-103 Shivam Apartment, Sector-12/14, Dwarka, New Delhi-110078.

 

 

Counter signature of Member presenting

 

 

Address: Secretary General, Rajya Sabha, Parliament House/Annexe, Delhi- 110001. secyg...@nic.in