BJP leader Parvesh Verma also asked the contractor not to break any drains, so that the road would not have to be dug up again. (Express File Photo)On his second day after taking charge of the Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi minister Parvesh Verma Saturday took stock of ongoing PWD projects.The first project was the ‘strengthening’ of a 4-km long stretch of the Ring Road from Ashram to Bhairon Road T-point. As per the contractor and PWD officials on the spot, the work will be completed within four months. “The road should be properly made. It should not break down quickly,” Verma told the contractor. He also asked the contractor not to break any drains, so that the road would not have to be dug up again.Verma, who defeated former chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi assembly constituency, has been assigned the portfolios of Public Works Department, Legislative Affairs, Irrigation and Flood Control, Water and Gurdwara Elections. The PWD portfolio is significant as the lack of maintenance of road infrastructure became a key issue in the recent elections.Verma then visited the construction site of the Barapullah Phase-3 flyover. The 4.5 km stretch connects Mayur Vihar Phase 1 to Sundial at Sarai Kale Khan. According to PWD officials at the site who did not wish to be named, 309 trees have to be cut to complete the project, which is halted because it requires approval from the Supreme Court.Lastly, he examined the pump facility at Moolchand, where the upgradation and improvement of pumps are taking place. “In the next two months, we will install seven pumps in addition to the one existing pump… the aim is that the Moolchand underpass will not get flooded this time during rains,” said a PWD official.“We have taken out the old pumps and installed new Japanese pumps this time,” he added.© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Parvesh Verma