The road construction department has asked all district magistrates to prioritise the roads and bridges in their respective areas that need maintenance.

The department officials said based on the suggestions submitted by the district magistrates, they will formulate a plan and work accordingly to ensure that those areas are given the first preference.

A department official said: "There are few places where a particular road or a bridge that is in a very bad shape needs immediate maintenance. Residents of those villages face a lot of problems owing to the absence of roads or bridges. The district magistrates have been asked to prioritise these areas and send a list to the department. Based on the reports, the department will plan a strategy and work accordingly. Though we are building new roads, the focus of the department will be on the reports submitted by the district magistrates."

On February 13, road construction minister Bhim Singh held a review meeting of the department and reprimanded officials for lapses. He said the department had to start working fast and the results should be visible immediately.

Asserting that the decision of providing reservation to SC/ST contractors should be immediately implemented, Bhim Singh had made it clear that there were many tenders that had not been disposed by the department, directing the officials to act swiftly on them.

Based on the minister's directives, department secretary Harjot Kaur had immediately ordered that SC/ST contractors had to be given preference in contracts up to Rs 75 lakh.

"The department has started acting on the same and tenders are getting disposed of. Also, the report of the district magistrates will enable the department to know the immediate things that need to be done and will act on the same without further delay. The reports have started to come in and the department is studying them. It will then formulate an execution plan. Directions will be given to the executive engineers posted in different areas about the report of the district magistrates," the official said.

During the review meeting, the department had decided to construct approach roads on the Digha-Sonepur rail-cum- road bridge over the Ganga. The bridge, which is an alternative to the dilapidated Gandhi Setu, is almost ready but is stuck because of the absence of approach roads.

The department has also talked about the extension of Patna bridges and flyovers to improve the traffic situation. "The work on the fresh projects has been planned and will start soon. But, the department wants to ensure first that the existing roads and bridges are in proper shape," the official said.