NT Reporter
Panaji/Margao
In a major step to curb haphazard road digging and improve infrastructure planning, the state government has designated the Public Works Department (PWD) as the single nodal authority for granting permissions related to utility laying and road excavation, including in emergent situations.
A high-level Coordination Committee under the chairmanship of the Principal Chief Engineer of the PWD has been constituted to oversee, plan and approve all utility-laying works involving road cutting across the state. A key provision imposes a five-year ban on road cutting after completion of road works, except in emergencies. Additionally, a strict monsoon moratorium on all road excavation activities will be enforced from May 16 to October 31 every year. “Strict timelines and technical specifications will be enforced for the restoration of roads, and unauthorised road cutting will attract penalties,” the notification published in the official
gazette stated.
Principal Chief Engineer Sandeep Prabhu Chodnekar issued a notification constituting the 11-member
apex body. The move is aimed at eliminating duplication, preventing unauthorised digging, and ensuring better coordination among departments such as water supply, electricity, sewerage, telecom, and IT.
As part of implementation, the PWD will develop a GIS-based real-time digital platform to record and monitor all road and utility works, integrated with the national infrastructure platform Gati Shakti for synchronised planning
and execution.
Under the framework, the PWD will upload its annual road development plan by May 31, while all utility agencies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, must submit their plans by June 30. The Coordination Committee will finalise permissions by July 31.
The notification mandates that all new roads incorporate integrated utility infrastructure such as ducts for cables and pipelines to minimise future disruption, while existing roads will be upgraded in phases subject to feasibility.
Authorities warned that unauthorised road cutting or failure to restore roads as per standards will attract penalties, with work completion certificates issued only after inspection by PWD engineers.
