Patna: State chief secretary (CS) Pratyaya Amrit on Monday asked officials to complete joint inspections of all roads and bridges across the state within 14 working days, by Nov 12, and upload the related video clips and reports on the project management information system (PMIS) portal.He also asked officials to use video cameras to inspect damaged roads and adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards non-functional streetlights. He directed them to repair damaged roads and restore streetlights ahead of the Diwali rush.The CS issued the directions at a meeting with departmental heads, with district magistrates (DMs) joining through videoconferencing, to review basic infrastructure projects, social campaigns and preparations for Diwali and Chhath.Executive engineers were made nodal officers for joint inspections and regular monitoring of roads and bridges, while DMs were asked to nominate an officer in every division for the task. Officials were also directed to repair damaged signboards.The meeting also reviewed the domestic PNG and CNG network, anti-addiction campaign, the National Unity Day function at Kewadia in Gujarat on Oct 31 and preparations for Chhath.Reviewing the progress of domestic PNG and CNG networks in Muzaffarpur, Patna, Vaishali, Saran and Gaya districts, the CS asked officials to expedite land allotment and permissions for laying pipelines in nine non-gas-linked districts. They were also asked to prepare a special plan to address challenges in installing pre-paid smart meters.The CS said CM Samrat Choudhary would launch the statewide month-long anti-addiction campaign on Oct 27. He asked DMs to mobilise students through vice-chancellors for collective pledges and encourage participation in towns, villages and at Chhath ghats.As many as 1,100 participants from 22 districts will attend the National Unity Day function at Ekta Nagar, Kewadia, on Oct 31. They will leave Patna on Oct 28 by a special reserved train.
