The state government wants to ensure that you curse the Centre for the jolts and jerks during your commute on a national highway. Sign boards with the message, that is the Centre that is responsible for the poor condition of roads, is set to come up along national highways in the state. The Urban Development (UD) Department headed by minister Azam Khan has ordered municipal commissioners and executive officers of urban local bodies to place such sign boards on national highways. The department has also decided to lodge cases against National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials under CrPC sections for poor condition of national highways in UP and causing inconvenience to the public. UD secretary Shreeprakash Singh has sent a directive to municipal commissioners, executive officials of nagar palika parishads and nagar panchayats, and district magistrates to lodge cases against NHAI officials. Singh has also written that national highways which are within the territory of UP but belong to NHAI are in a dilapidated condition and their maintenance as well as repair is not being carried out. The municipal officials have been directed to send action taken reports on the directive to the director of urban local bodies, who will provide a compiled report to the government positively by first week of every month. Shreeprakash Singh told The Indian Express that commuters blame the state government for the poor state of highways. “But why should the state government be blamed for this. Public should know that these highways are maintained by NHAI and their officials are responsible for the problems they face,” he said. NHAI regional officer for UP Khushwant Singh refused to comment on the issue.
