Govt looks to improve 'riding quality' of roads
Kolkata: After successfully developing the road infrastructure in the state, the Bengal government is now stressing on ensuring "riding quality" of all roads.
The improvement in the "riding quality" of roads will ensure a further check in the number of accidents in the state. At the same time, fuel consumption of vehicles will go down with improvement in the "riding quality" index. Moreover, one would also experience smoother rides, with less wear and tear of vehicle parts.
An official said "riding quality" is a technical term and it ensures a road surface without much "roughness" or "impediment" that restricts a smooth ride.
It may be mentioned that Chief Secretary Malay De had held a high level meeting with all the concerned departments and state government agencies on July 6, to take stock of the condition of roads across the state. Sources said that stress was given on the necessity to improve the "riding quality" of roads in the meeting. It has been learnt that senior officials of the state Public Works Department, KMDA and other allied departments and agencies were present in the meeting. The officials were directed to take necessary steps so that the "riding quality" of the roads can be improved further. Stress was also given on maintenance of roads in the urban parts of the state, considering it will ensure smooth flow of vehicles and reduce traffic congestion.
According to an official of the state government, there will be no wavy roads with the improvement in "riding quality". The wavy roads lead to accidents on highways and cause traffic bottlenecks in the city.
Explaining the need for improving the "riding quality" of roads, the official said that vehicles slow down all of a sudden where there is a wavy road and a vehicle approaching from behind at a high speed hits the one in front.
The official further said that after the change of guard in the state, Bengal has witnessed a massive development in road infrastructure. Necessary precautions and measures were taken to ensure that road surface remains smooth for the maximum time period possible.
An order has also been issued to ensure that steps are taken to inspect and undertake repairing of "potholes and surface defects" on roads, "as several complaints were received from different sources regarding the poor condition of some roads."
