Jaipur: In a move to enhance the quality and transparency of road repair works, the Urban Development and Housing (UDH) department has launched an initiative where third-party agencies will be tasked with inspecting its work. The move follows significant criticism directed at local authorities for their ineffective road maintenance, with many urban areas suffering from poorly repaired roads that pose risks to both motorists and pedestrians. Unlike the Public Works Department (PWD), UDH agencies historically lack a dedicated quality control wing, leading to questions about the integrity of their repair work. To promote transparency and accountability, the UDH has introduced a unique approach where agencies will inspect one another’s repair projects. “We have decided to implement third-party inspections using our own teams to assess the work performed by fellow agencies. This is aimed at ensuring that road repairs are not only durable but also adhering to prescribed standards,” said an official involved in the initiative. The initiative involves three key agencies: the Urban Improvement Trusts, development authorities, and the Rajasthan Housing Board (RHB). These bodies will engage in a reciprocal inspection process, where, for instance, the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) will assess the repair works executed by the RHB, and vice versa. This cross-agency evaluation aims to ensure that all patch repair works meet the prescribed standards and are robust enough to withstand future weather challenges. The agencies have been asked to submit inspection reports to the chief engineer and the secretaries of their respective organisations by Nov 15 to ensure a structured timeline for accountability. Collectively, these agencies have undertaken repairs on over 8.67 lakh sq metres of roads, amounting to an expenditure of Rs 30.11 crore in the post-monsoon period across the state.
UDH ropes in third parties for monitoring road repair works | Jaipur News
