l Funds allocated for road repairs had not been utilised in the past five years, leading to contractors not performing the work.
l An immediate allocation of Rs 300 crore is needed to address potholes statewide.
l Naidu directed the R&B department to start pothole repairs immediately, focusing on the most damaged roads.
l He emphasised the need for urgent completion of repairs and expedited tender processes.
l Potholes affect 4,151 km of roads, with 2,939 km requiring immediate attention.
The Roads and Buildings (R&B) department officers informed Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu that potholes were neither filled nor pending bills cleared for contractors during the previous YSRCP rule. During a review meeting held at the State Secretariat regarding the prevailing condition of roads across the State, officers stated that funds allocated for road repairs had not been utilized in the past five years under the YSRCP administration. As a result, contractors, owed crores of rupees, did not undertake road repair works.
The officials estimated that a minimum of Rs 300 crore is needed immediately to fill potholes statewide. The Chief Minister convened the review meeting with R&B officials and IIT professors to discuss adopting the latest technology for road construction in the State. After hearing the officials’ reports, he directed them to begin filling potholes immediately, prioritizing roads needing repair.
Chandrababu Naidu instructed the officers to call for tenders promptly and complete road repairs on a war footing. He emphasized that road users have faced numerous issues due to the previous government’s neglect in repairing damaged roads.
Officials reported that potholes affect 4,151 km of roads, with 2,939 km requiring immediate attention. The Chief Minister also discussed with professors from IIT and SRM University, Tirupati, implementing advanced technology to construct high-quality roads with minimal expenditure.
They explored non-traditional methods and materials to build durable roads, especially in high-traffic areas.
Minister for Roads and Buildings BC Janardhan Reddy, department officials, professors, construction experts, and others participated in the meeting.