Taking a stringent stance against uncontrolled road excavations and the blatant disregard for public safety, District Magistrate (DM) Savin Bansal has imposed a two-month ban on road cutting activities by the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL). This follows a similar two-month ban imposed on GAIL just last week.
Surprise Inspections
Reveal Irregularities The action comes after a Quick Response Team (QRT), formed on the DM's instructions, conducted surprise inspections of ongoing works across the city. The team discovered serious violations in the execution of the ADB-funded Uttarakhand Climate Resilient Power System Development Project, specifically involving the laying of underground power lines.
The affected stretches include:
- Saharanpur Road: From Niranjanpur Sabzi Mandi Chowk to ISBT.
- GMS Road: From Ballupur Chowk to Niranjanpur Sabzi Mandi Chowk.
Nature Of Violations
The administration cited multiple breaches of the permission granted by the Project Coordination Committee:
Unauthorised Timing: While permission was strictly for night work, excavation was observed during the daytime.
Lack of Safety Measures: Key work sites at Rispadna, Araghar Chowk, Kargi, Mothrowala Road, Doon University Road, and Shimla Bypass lacked essential safety protocols such as barricading, reflective tapes, and warning signboards.
Traffic Hazards: Excavated debris was found dumped on the roads, narrowing the carriageway and significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
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Strict Penalties And Warning
Consequently, the DM has cancelled UPCL’s existing road cutting permission with immediate effect and barred them from receiving new permissions for the next two months.
DM Bansal issued a stern warning, stating that compromising public safety will not be tolerated. He clarified that:
- Violating permit conditions is a punishable offence.
- Any escalation in project time or cost due to this cancellation will be the sole responsibility of the concerned department and executing agency.
- Departments have been directed to ensure strict compliance with traffic management and safety standards before undertaking any future work to prevent inconvenience to the general public.
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