Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of road, bridge, and building projects

Bhubaneswar:4/3/25: Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of road, bridge, and building projects valued at above ₹100 crore under the Works Department.

The meeting, held at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Hall, underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing state infrastructure.

According to an official press release, Minister Harichandan reaffirmed that delays and compromises in project quality would not be tolerated.

He emphasized stringent monitoring, directing departmental officers, Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers, and Executive Officers to conduct monthly progress reviews.

To expedite work, officials will actively address challenges faced by contractors, while agencies and contractors must efficiently deploy their manpower and technical resources to meet deadlines.

The Minister issued a stern warning, stating that any complaints regarding delays or substandard work would invite strict government action. He further announced that past performance would be a key criterion for awarding future contracts.

The review covered major ongoing projects, including the Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, and Jaipur bypass roads, infrastructure development at Koraput, Jeypore, Jajpur, and Capital hospitals, and various other building projects. The minister also sought updates on high-level bridge constructions across the state’s rivers.

The meeting was attended by Works Department Secretary V.V. Yadav, EIC (Civil) Purnachandra Mahapatra, Special Secretary of the Works Department L.K. Padhi, OBCC Managing Director Samir Hota, along with other senior departmental officers and representatives of contracting agencies.

With a strong focus on accountability and efficiency, the government aims to accelerate infrastructure development and ensure high-quality execution of critical projects across Odisha.