Punjab Govt Plans Foreign Study Tours for Departmental Officers

In a recent move to improve road infrastructure in Punjab, the state government is planning to send officers from the Public Works Department on international study tours. The idea is to learn modern techniques in road construction and maintenance from countries that are known for their advanced road systems.

Learning from Global Best Practices

Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO led a high-level meeting with the officials of the Punjab State Road and Bridge Development Board (PRBDB) on Friday. During the meeting, he instructed the department to create a proposal for sending selected officers on educational tours abroad. These tours will focus on gaining insights into building strong and long-lasting roads, maintaining them properly, and ensuring better road safety.

The minister emphasized that the officers should visit countries that are leaders in the field of road development. The knowledge gained during these visits will help in implementing better road-building practices back home in Punjab.

Focus on Road Safety and Maintenance

Apart from the proposal for foreign tours, Harbhajan Singh also discussed other important road safety matters. He asked officials to speed up work on repairing dangerous spots, also known as “black spots,” on state highways. These areas are known to have higher chances of road accidents, and improving them is a top priority. He also told officials to work closely with the Punjab State Road Safety Council to solve issues related to road safety more effectively. Improved coordination between departments is expected to lead to faster and more practical solutions.

Revenue and Regulation Measures

Another point raised in the meeting was the collection of government fees from businesses like petrol pumps and commercial establishments that require access roads connected to highways. The minister ordered the concerned team to submit a report on this matter by June 30. With these steps, the Punjab government aims to improve both the quality and safety of roads across the state while also exploring global ideas for better infrastructure..