- ‘Instructions given to complete the ongoing works within the time limit’
- “Make monthly payments to contractors and closely inspect works to ensure quality.”
Secretary of the Public Works Department, Mr. Mukesh Kumar Bansal, held a meeting with department officials and contractors in Kondagaon today to review the ongoing road and bridge construction work in Bijapur, Dantewada, and Kondagaon. He urged them to expedite these projects and complete them within the given timeframe. He directed them to prepare and submit proposals to the government on priority for the construction of all-weather roads and bridges for villages cut off from road connectivity during the monsoon season. Kondagaon Collector, Ms. Nupur Rashi Panna, Divisional Forest Officer, Mrs. Divya Gautam, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, Mr. V.K. Bhatpahari, Chief Engineers, Mr. M.L. Oraon and Mr. Gyaneshwar Kashyap, Superintending Engineer, Mr. Sanjay Suryavanshi, along with Executive Engineers, Sub-Divisional Officers, and Deputy Engineers from all three districts were also present at the meeting.
The Secretary of the Public Works Department directed departmental officials in all three districts not to hold any contractor’s payments pending. He directed contractors to make monthly payments based on the work completed by them. Mr. Bansal asked contractors to share with the officials any problems they encounter at their work sites. He directed departmental officials to resolve these problems promptly and expedite the work. He also instructed contractors to complete ongoing works within the stipulated timeframe.
In the meeting, the departmental secretary directed that proposals for the construction of new roads and bridges be submitted on priority, based on public needs and utility. After Bastar becomes Naxal-free, construction of roads and bridges in remote and inaccessible villages should proceed rapidly. He directed that estimates for the construction of high-speed roads included in the current financial year’s budget be submitted by August 15th.
The Public Works Department Secretary directed all officials to maintain complete information on building, road, and bridge construction and their progress. He directed them to ensure the quality of construction materials and use high-quality windows, doors, tiles, sanitary ware, faucets, and paints in buildings. He also directed the Forest Divisional Officer to expedite the work on the Keshkal Valley Bypass Road and ensure tree felling as soon as possible.
Mr. Bansal called for strict action against contractors who show laxity and produce substandard work. He directed that such contractors be blacklisted, downgraded, and terminated. He directed all officers to remain at their headquarters, regularly visit the field to closely inspect work, and submit government responses to court cases on time. He also directed them to ensure the proper maintenance of circuit houses and rest houses.
‘Inspected the works of the under-construction Kharakghat bridge’
After a meeting in Kondagaon, Secretary of the Public Works Department, Mr. Bansal inspected the works of the Kharakghat bridge being constructed on the Indravati river in Jagdalpur. This high-level bridge is being constructed on National Highway-30 at a cost of more than Rs. 44 crores. Mr. Bansal asked the officials and contractor present on the spot to complete the work of the bridge within the time limit with complete quality. He asked to speed up the works by increasing the machinery and manpower at the site.