Govt moves to set lifespan of new roads, buildings

The government has moved to determine the lifetime of all new public-sector roads and buildings to be built across the country, officials said.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has recently asked all the government secretaries to take steps in this regard.

The PMO directives on 'road and building maintenance' came amid reports on the construction of substandard roads and buildings by public-sector entities.

In the directives, the PMO said the authorities concerned will fix the lifetime of roads and buildings.

The ministries concerned will set annual allocation demand for maintenance cost of buildings, roads and other establishments under their departments and offices.

The secretaries have been asked to place a coordinated work plan to the cabinet division by next two months after setting the lifetime of buildings and roads.

The PMO will also monitor the road and building maintenance issue, the directive mentioned.

Officials said in recent times, the construction of substandard roads and buildings in the public sector was reported several times.

Even use of bamboos in some building construction works instead of iron rods also raised a hue and cry on several occasions.

It was also found that roads were getting damaged much earlier than expected time. Due to substandard maintenance work, construction materials, including bitumen, washed away very quickly.

As a result, maintenance cost of roads and highways increases further which is a waste of public money.

A senior official at the ministry of finance (MoF) told the FE that the government wants to stop wasting public money being spent in the name of maintenance cost of roads.

Besides, the government wants to ensure the quality in construction of roads and buildings so that they last for a long time.

The PMO directive was given to save public money, he noted.

syful-islam@outlook.com