Mukesh Kumar Bansal inspects roads, bridges and a government college building in Rajnandgaon and Dongargaon; directs officials to resume rain-hit works, monitor contractors and ensure workers are paid before Diwali
TFP Bureau,Raipur, October 23, 2026: Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary Mukesh Kumar Bansal on Thursday expressed displeasure over shortcomings in the quality of road construction and repair works during inspections in the Rajnandgaon and Dongargaon areas. He directed officials to conduct regular field inspections, enforce technical standards and ensure that all pending construction projects are completed by December.
During his visit, Bansal inspected the Rajnandgaon-Ambagarh Chowki four-laning project, a bridge under construction at Pairi Nala, the road from Sukhri to Diwanbhedi, a government college building at Arjuni village and an old rest house in Dongargaon. He also reviewed the progress of road, bridge, culvert and building projects at a meeting with departmental officials.
Strict quality checks ordered
Reviewing the four-laning project between Rajnandgaon and Ambagarh Chowki, Bansal directed officials to verify road width, the thickness of the Granular Sub-Base (GSB), the various construction layers, levelling and road markings. He sought a formal report on these parameters and asked officials to move beyond office-based reviews and undertake regular site visits.
At the Pairi Nala bridge construction site, he assessed the progress of foundations, pillars, caps and other structural components. He stressed proper drainage arrangements and compliance with prescribed technical standards.
During the inspection of the Sukhri-Diwanbhedi road, Bansal instructed officials to check excavation, base construction and other work for quality. He also directed that construction activities be videographed, records maintained properly and contractors required to follow approved project plans. Any technical defects must be rectified promptly.
Rain-hit works to resume; contractors face action
At a review meeting in Rajnandgaon, the PWD Secretary sought details of projects sanctioned, underway or pending across the district. He directed officials to complete old and pending works by December and immediately restart projects suspended due to the rains, accelerating construction while maintaining quality.
He warned that contractors failing to meet prescribed quality standards or project deadlines could face action under the rules, including blacklisting where warranted. Officials were asked to monitor construction regularly, address technical and administrative hurdles and prioritise road widening, strengthening and repair works to improve safe and smooth travel.
Bansal also directed officials to ensure that all workers received their wages before Diwali.
The meeting was attended by Rajnandgaon Collector Jitendra Yadav, Zila Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Durga Prasad Adhikari and PWD Engineer-in-Chief V.K. Bhatpahari.
College land protection and accessibility stressed
At Arjuni village in Dongargaon development block, Bansal inspected the new two-storey government college building under construction. He directed officials to formally demarcate the approximately 10-acre campus, install boundary pillars to prevent encroachment and update revenue records relating to the land and its access road.
He reviewed the flooring, plastering and other construction work, emphasising the need to address the difference in elevation between the main entrance and the approach road. Officials were asked to explore ramps for persons with disabilities and ensure proper installation and protection of rainwater drainage pipes.
Dongargaon rest house to be converted into PWD office
During his inspection of the old rest house in Dongargaon, Bansal directed that the main building be converted into a PWD office and other usable structures repaired for office space or storage.
He set a deadline of 15 to 20 days for essential improvements, including removing dilapidated structures, levelling and cleaning the premises, and arranging funds from available departmental budget heads.
He also ordered improvements to road surfaces, the painting of centre lines and other road markings, and the cleaning and painting of road dividers.
Bansal reiterated that all projects must comply with quality, safety and technical standards and be completed within stipulated timelines. He said negligence should invite appropriate action.
Other officials present during the inspections included PWD Chief Engineer for the Durg region N.K. Jayant, Superintending Engineer Aparna Chaurpagar and Executive Engineer Ritu Khare.
