UDH, JDA plan to allocate equal funds to repair damaged roads

Jaipur: The Urban Development and Housing department (UDH) and Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) have announced plans to allocate equal funds for repairing and restoration of all city roads damaged by heavy rains this year.

This move addresses allegations that JDA has historically favoured roads in VIP localities over those in common residential or outer areas.

There have been claims that JDA spends disproportionate amounts on roads in VIP neighborhoods and central city areas as compared to residential areas on the outskirts. Some civic body officials have even acknowledged that the budgets for zones without VIP areas or located on the outskirts are significantly less than those in central zones.

"Following these claims and allegations, this year, UDH department and JDA have different plans. We have been officially informed that the cost to restore and repair the city roads will be the same across the city, at least for this year. It means the quality of roads will be the same across the city," a govt engineer said.

The heavy rains experienced this monsoon season have significantly damaged numerous city roads, with conditions being particularly severe in non-VIP residential areas such as Jhotwara, Jagatpura, and Sanganer.

"We have already started the restoration works. We have been informed that to assure quality and standard of roads should be maintained across the city while carrying out the restoration," another official added.

Furthermore, JDA has provided financial approval for the reconstruction of several roads across the city, with some roads scheduled to be relaid for the first time in over a decade. This includes Niwaru Road and Sikar Road in deputy chief minister, Diya Kumari’s constituency, Vidhyadhar Nagar.

“Normally, in our agreement with the contractor, we mention a defect liability period of five years. It means the contractor will be responsible for any defect of the road for five years. Generally, the life of a road varies from five to seven years. Roads in the VIP localities and localities in the heart of the city get relaid every five to six years,” said another engineer.

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