Monitoring of works under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana(PMGSY)

RAJYA SABHA

A three tier quality monitoring mechanism has been put in place by the Union Ministry of Rural Development to ensure that the rural roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) conform to the prescribed quality standards program guidelines. This Information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Pradeep Jain Aditya in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today .

Giving details of the quality monitoring mechanism the minister informed the house that the first two tiers of the Quality Control Structure are overseen by the State Quality Coordinators, appointed by the State Governments. The first tier of quality monitoring mechanism is in-house quality control at the level of the executing agencies. Field laboratories are established by the Contractors and mandatory tests on the quality of material and workmanship are conducted under the supervision of Program Implementation Units (PIUs). Quality Control Handbooks have been prescribed and test records are maintained by the PIUs in the prescribed Quality Control registers. The second tier provides for quality monitoring by the State Governments through independent State Quality Monitors (SQMs). SQMs are deployed for ensuring that quality related issues are properly being attended to by the first tier. The third tier of this arrangement consists of quality monitoring of works through random inspections by independent National Quality Monitors (NQMs).

At the same time the PMGSY Program Guidelines have specified that the projects are to be completed within a period of 9 working months from the date of issue of the Work order. In case the period for execution is likely to be adversely affected by monsoon or other seasonal factors, the time period for execution may be extended but shall not exceed 12 calendar months. In respect of Hill States where the work is executed in two stages, the time limit upto 18 calendar months has been permitted for completion of Stage-I works and 9 to 12 months for Stage - II works. Time period of 18-24 months has been permitted for completion of cross drainage works exceeding 25 meter length, depending on site conditions.

As per PMGSY Program guidelines, PMGSY projects are required to be covered by 5 year maintenance contracts, to be entered into along with the construction contract, with the same contractor in accordance with Standard Bidding Document for regular routine maintenance. Funds to service these contracts are to be budgeted and to be provided by the State Government. Special repairs necessitated on account of flood damages are, however, required to be carried out by the State Government with their own funds and the assistance that may be available under calamity relief and reconstruction. .

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AKT/ST/SAK