Amid widespread damage to Gujarat&rsquo;s road infrastructure due to intense monsoon rainfall, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has instructed all concerned departments to begin repair work immediately, without waiting for the rain to subside. In a high-level review meeting held in Gandhinagar, Patel directed that restoration efforts must proceed urgently, even during holidays, to minimise disruption to daily life.
Highlighting the importance of a functional transport network, Patel described roads as the &ldquo;main artery&rdquo; of development and essential to everyday mobility. He insisted that repair work be visible and sustained, regardless of weather conditions. &ldquo;Every dry day must be used. No holiday should delay progress,&rdquo; the Chief Minister said, warning that agencies would be held responsible for substandard repairs.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Contractors will be accountable if roads are damaged within the defect liability period,&rdquo; he added.
The meeting brought together senior officials from the Road Construction Department, NHAI, Panchayats, and Municipal Corporations, with civic commissioners joining via video conference. Patel told municipal bodies to prioritise urgent work in areas facing issues such as waterlogging, flooded underpasses, and road collapse.
He also emphasised the need for strategic coordination between agencies and urged field engineers&mdash;superintending, executive, and deputy-level&mdash;to conduct on-site visits and initiate repairs without delay. According to updates presented during the meeting, structural and surface work is underway on 243 bridges across Gujarat, while diversions are being managed to maintain traffic movement.
The NHAI informed the Chief Minister that out of 83 km of National Highways affected this season, 58 km had already been restored, with the remaining 25 km scheduled for completion shortly.
In response to growing public frustration, especially in urban centres and rural pockets alike, the Chief Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to rapid restoration and high construction standards. &ldquo;People must not suffer due to bureaucratic delay or poor execution,&rdquo; he said, reinforcing that the quality of repair work is non-negotiable.
As part of advance planning, the state government had previously sanctioned Rs 107 crore under the Swarnim Jayanti Chief Minister Urban Development Scheme for the repair and resurfacing of damaged roads in 149 municipalities. This fund, approved a month ago, is being allocated according to municipality classifications.&nbsp;
Thirty-seven &lsquo;A&rsquo; class municipalities will each receive Rs 1 crore, thirty-four &lsquo;B&rsquo; class bodies will get Rs 80 lakh, sixty-one &lsquo;C&rsquo; class municipalities are being granted Rs 60 lakh apiece, and seventeen &lsquo;D&rsquo; class areas will be allotted Rs 40 lakh each.
Patel directed that this grant be used efficiently and warned that only contractors delivering durable results should be considered for future projects. He clarified that there is no financial constraint but stressed the need for timely implementation and quality control.
To support rapid response, a 24-hour control centre has been activated at Nirman Bhavan to oversee field operations and emergency repairs. Patel concluded the meeting with a stern reminder that citizens expect accountability and visible improvements. &ldquo;Departments must move with speed and responsibility. Delays will not be tolerated,&rdquo; he said.
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Gujarat govt initiates nonstop repair work to restore roads, bridges damaged by heavy monsoon.

War-Footing Road Repairs Ordered Across Gujarat

Gujarat govt initiates nonstop repair work to restore roads, bridges damaged by heavy monsoon.

July 8, 2025 | 14:19 IST