In a welcome change, unauthorised digging of road by PHED was stopped by timely intervention by UMC Mayor Chandra Singh Kothari.

It so happened that portion of road going from Surajpole towards Sikh colony was being dug up with the help of a JCB machine and two workers. Mayor Kothari was passing through the area when he spotted the activity. On being questioned as to who gave them the permission to dig up the road, the contractor said that the road was being dug up at the behest of PHED and given that it was Government work they did not need any permission.

On being given information about this incident by contractor, the department people reached the spot and said that they had permission . On this, Mayor called up revenue officer and asked him to investigate the matter. The anti-encroachment team also reached the spot. On investigation, it came out that the road was being dug up for laying water pipeline end the work was being done on orders of PHED AEN Akhilesh Sharma.

When Sharma was called up to check from where he had received the permission for digging up the road, Sharma had no answer. After this, the digging up was immediately stopped and the dug up area was filled up.

As per Rajasthan Municipal Act 2009 (189,244), no digging up should be carried out without permission and if such a case comes to light then Municipal Corporation has right to take action.

Mayor Kothari said that the responsible contractor will be duly fined for the same and will have to compensate for the revenue loss.

Mayor said that at one end the municipal corporation is spending huge money for providing good quality roads and at the other end due to lack of coordination, departments are carrying out unauthorised digging. He cautioned department officials against this and warned of strict action if found erring.