Deputy Chief Minister sets one-year deadline for permanent drinking water solutions, suspends engineer over Dhamtari delay and mandates drain cleaning by May 31 to prevent monsoon waterlogging
TFP Bureau, Raipur, April 20,2026: Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Administration and Development Minister Arun Sao on Monday adopted a tough stance on urban civic management, directing officials to resolve long-pending drinking water issues within a fixed timeline and take stringent action against illegal plotting and unauthorized construction across cities and towns.
Chairing a comprehensive, day-long review meeting of all municipal corporations and municipal councils at the Circuit House in Civil Lines, Raipur, Sao expressed strong displeasure over recurring complaints regarding irregular water supply, project delays and weak enforcement against illegal layouts. He made it clear that negligence in urban service delivery would not be tolerated.
In a significant administrative action, the Deputy Chief Minister ordered the immediate suspension of the Executive Engineer responsible for delays in the drinking water scheme in Dhamtari. He also directed that financial penalties be imposed on the contractor concerned, underscoring the government’s resolve to fix accountability for lapses in execution of public projects.
The review meetings were attended by Secretary of the Urban Administration and Development Department Dr. Basavaraju S., Director R. Ekka, State Urban Development Agency (SUDA) CEO Shashank Pandey, municipal corporation commissioners, chief municipal officers of municipal councils, senior engineers and joint directors from the department’s five divisional regional offices.
City-Specific Action Plans and Improved Governance
During the discussions, Sao instructed all urban local bodies to prepare structured action plans tailored to the specific needs and challenges of their respective cities. He emphasized that development should be outcome-oriented and not merely aimed at exhausting budget allocations.
He called upon municipal corporations to set high standards of efficiency and transparency so that they could serve as role models for municipal councils, which in turn should inspire Nagar Panchayats. The Deputy Chief Minister stressed the importance of improving administrative systems, strengthening monitoring mechanisms and enhancing public trust in civic institutions.
Engineers were specifically directed to maintain quality standards in all infrastructure works. Sao warned that any compromise in workmanship or delays in project completion would invite disciplinary action. He reiterated that all ongoing projects must adhere strictly to prescribed timelines.
Permanent Solution to Drinking Water Problems
Expressing dissatisfaction over persistent complaints about drinking water supply in urban areas, Sao directed officials to implement permanent and technically sound solutions within the next year. He stated that patchwork measures were no longer acceptable and that cities must invest in sustainable systems capable of meeting long-term demand.
He cautioned that accountability would be fixed in cases where residents continue to face water shortages or irregular supply. Civic officials were instructed to closely monitor water distribution networks, address leakages and ensure equitable supply across all wards.
Pre-Monsoon Drain Cleaning Drive
With the monsoon season approaching, the Deputy Chief Minister instructed all municipal corporations to complete the cleaning of major drains, gutters and drainage systems by May 31. He emphasized that timely desilting and maintenance were essential to prevent urban flooding and waterlogging during heavy rains.
A state-level team will conduct physical inspections of municipal corporations in the first week of June to verify the preparedness. If shortcomings are found, strict action will be taken against the responsible health officers and engineers.
Housing Schemes and Timelines
Sao also reviewed progress under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and directed that all incomplete houses be finished by September 2026. He ordered that construction of houses that have not yet commenced must begin within one month without exception. Additionally, houses sanctioned in March 2026 must see work initiated before the onset of the monsoon.
Officials were directed to promptly submit proposals for beneficiaries who complete their houses within the stipulated 18-month period under PM Awas Yojana (Urban) 2.0 so they can receive the additional incentive of Rs 32,850 under the Chief Minister Grih Pravesh Samman Yojana.
Support for Street Vendors and Financial Inclusion
Highlighting the importance of livelihood support, the Deputy Chief Minister asked urban local bodies to coordinate closely with banks to maximize coverage under the PM SVANidhi scheme. He stressed that eligible street vendors must receive timely access to credit support.
He also directed officials to actively promote rainwater harvesting projects in urban areas using funds from the District Mineral Foundation (DMF), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and public participation to enhance groundwater recharge and strengthen water sustainability.
Review of Key Urban Development Schemes
The marathon review sessions covered a wide range of schemes and administrative functions, including revenue collection, electricity bill payments, salary disbursement, infrastructure development, works under the 15th Finance Commission, Nalanda Complexes, the Nagarotthan Scheme, water supply projects, disaster management preparedness, the Godham Scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the AMRUT Mission, the Swachh Bharat Mission, the PM SVANidhi Scheme, the Atal Monitoring Portal, the iGOT-Karmayogi platform and rainwater harvesting initiatives.
Sao emphasized the adoption of modern technologies and innovative administrative practices to transform cities into clean, efficient and citizen-friendly urban centers. He urged officials to remain responsive to public grievances and ensure transparency in service delivery.
The review exercise will continue on April 21, when the Deputy Chief Minister is scheduled to assess the functioning of Nagar Panchayats across the state, further reinforcing the government’s focus on strengthening grassroots urban governance.
