Andhra Pradesh: Official Machinery on High Alert, Rains Damage 690km of Roads
Janardhan Reddy directed officials to remain in the field and coordinate with district administrations and other departments for an immediate response.
Vijayawada: The Roads and Buildings department has been put on high alert across Andhra Pradesh after incessant rains triggered by the severe depression damaged around 690km of roads, roads minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy said on Thursday.
During a teleconference with senior R&B officials, the minister reviewed road damage, restoration works and emergency preparedness. He asked officials to ensure safe and uninterrupted movement of people and public transport.
Srikakulam suffered the worst road damage to an extent of 250km. Eight locations suffered severe road damage and one road stretch was affected by erosion.
Restoration works have begun at three locations. Cross-drainage systems were damaged at 85 locations, with restoration works taken up at 62. Trees had fallen across roads at 59 locations, of which 58 has been removed.
The preliminary cost of restoration was estimated at Rs 402.18 crore, including Rs 34.38 crore for temporary works and Rs 291.87 crore for permanent restoration. The remaining money would be utilised for emergency purposes.
Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, East Godavari, Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, West Godavari, Anantapur, Kurnool and Nandyal were among the worst-affected districts.
Officials said 78 control rooms and nodal officers had been deployed statewide, with 36 coordination meetings held with allied departments. Toll-free services in major corporations were operating round the clock.
As many as 614 vulnerable locations have been identified. A total of 550 JCBs and 596 power saws were kept ready for emergency clearance.
Janardhan Reddy directed officials to remain in the field and coordinate with district administrations and other departments for an immediate response.
Officials were asked to continuously monitor all R&B roads, particularly coastal routes, and take preventive measures at vulnerable stretches prone to erosion and breaches. Any disruption should be addressed immediately, with restoration of traffic given priority over permanent repairs, the minister said.
The minister asked officials to complete ongoing CD works at the earliest and inspect flood-level indicators at all culverts and causeways. Unclear indicators should be repainted and new ones installed wherever required.
Officials were also directed to remove weak and dangerous trees and branches hanging over roads. Sandbags, RCC pipes and casuarina poles should be stocked at vulnerable locations. Hacksaws, power saws, steel cribs, chains, cranes, JCBs and excavators should be kept ready to clear fallen trees, power lines and other obstructions.
