- Deputy Chief Minister addresses engineers from across the state at ‘Nirman Manthan’
- Focus on quality, technology, and innovation at the Public Works Department’s state-level workshop
- Training imparted by experts from NIT and senior engineers
- Training covered road, bridge, and building construction, quality control, surveying, estimation, tendering processes, and road maintenance
- Participants ranged from Chief Engineers to Sub-Engineers
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Public Works, Shri Arun Saw, attended ‘Nirman Manthan,’ an event organized for departmental engineers. During this one-day state-level workshop, Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers, and Sub-Engineers received training on technical aspects related to the construction of roads, bridges, and buildings, as well as quality control, surveying, estimation, tendering processes, and road maintenance. Engineers from the Public Works Department, alongside experts from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur and senior engineers, engaged in discussions on quality, technology, and innovation.
Addressing engineers from across the state at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Saw stated, “You are the architects of a developed Chhattisgarh. It is your responsibility to fulfill this role with seriousness and proactiveness to strengthen our infrastructure.” He described the Public Works Department as the ‘growth engine’ of the state’s development. He noted that the department has played a significant role in the major transformation Chhattisgarh has undergone over the last 26 years since its formation, effectively leading the state’s development. He further added that with the end of the Naxalite menace, there are no longer any impediments to development work, and a favorable environment now exists across the entire state.
Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sao urged the engineers to play a significant role in the state’s development by leveraging their capabilities, efficiency, and competence. He advised them to adapt to changing times by embracing new technologies, machinery, and modern working methodologies, while continuously updating and upgrading their own skills. He emphasized that the reputation of the entire department is linked to the quality of its work; any substandard or flawed output casts doubt on the department as a whole. Instead of merely following established patterns, he encouraged them to apply their own judgment and originality to deliver exceptional results. Mr. Sao further stressed the importance of strictly adhering to prescribed standards and benchmarks to ensure both quality and timeliness in construction projects. He called upon them to remain proactive—both in the office and in the field—and to make an outstanding contribution.
- ‘Ensure Excellence in Both Field and Administrative Tasks’
Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Mukesh Kumar Bansal, Secretary of the Public Works Department (PWD), urged the team to approach construction projects with a positive mindset and a spirit of collaboration. He encouraged them to work with self-motivation and discipline, and to integrate the insights gained during the workshop into their practical, on-site work. He suggested studying iconic and exemplary projects—such as roads, bridges, and buildings—and undertaking exposure visits to learn about new techniques. He emphasized the need to adopt and implement innovations and best practices. Furthermore, he directed that the terms of contracts with various contractors and construction agencies must be strictly enforced.
Mr. Bansal highlighted the pivotal role of the Public Works Department in infrastructure development. He advised that when preparing proposals for new projects, future requirements must be taken into account. He also stressed the need for serious efforts to eliminate ‘black spots’ (accident-prone areas) to ensure safe travel and protect human lives. He reiterated the importance of maintaining high standards in both field operations and administrative (file-based) work. He expressed confidence that this workshop would lead to improved quality and greater efficiency in the department’s projects. ‘Ensure Rigorous Testing of Construction Materials and Quality’
Mr. V.K. Bhatpahari, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD), provided detailed guidance to all engineers regarding quality standards and construction processes. He stated that the PWD is consistently striving for improvement, quality enhancement, and overall progress. As a significant measure, the department has extended the performance guarantee period for roads from three years to five years. He emphasized that officials must maintain strict oversight over the quality of construction work; payments to contractors should be released only after the construction materials and the quality of work have undergone rigorous inspection and testing. He urged the engineers not to rely solely on consultants or external agencies, but to conduct their own inspections to ensure strict adherence to engineering techniques and established standards. He also discussed the appropriate use of fly ash to enhance the durability of roads.
- Training Topics Covered
The state-level quality control workshop organized by the Public Works Department covered various technical aspects—from the initial preparation of construction projects to quality control and ongoing maintenance. Engineers received training on road construction techniques such as Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) and ‘white-topping’ (concrete overlay), as well as on flexible pavements, bridge construction, quality control, and the construction and maintenance of buildings. The workshop also addressed topics including surveying and estimation, the tender documentation process, the Works and Accounts Monitoring Integrated System (WAMIS), the Government e-Procurement System of the National Informatics Centre (GePNIC), and procedures related to contractor registration.
During the workshop, Mr. S.K. Kori, Chief Engineer (Bridge Division) of the Public Works Department, spoke on bridge construction and quality…Executive Engineer (Cost Control) Mr. P.K. Gupta provided training on surveys and cost estimation. Additional Secretary Mr. S.N. Srivastava imparted information regarding tender documents. Meanwhile, Mr. Shashank Pandey, Additional Managing Director of the Chhattisgarh Road and Infrastructure Development Corporation (CGRIDCL), provided training on the Works and Accounts Monitoring Integrated System (WAMIS), the Government e-Procurement System of the National Informatics Centre (GePNIC), and registration procedures.