Regular site inspections, monthly progress reviews and strict action against delays ordered; estimates for new works to be submitted by July 31
TFP Bureau, Raipur, July 2,2026: Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary Mukesh Kumar Bansal on Thursday conducted a comprehensive review of bridges, flyovers and railway over-bridges under construction across Chhattisgarh, directing officials to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and ensure timely completion of all projects.
Chairing a meeting at the Chief Engineer’s (Bridge Division) office in Sirpur Bhawan, Raipur, Mr. Bansal instructed senior officers to carry out regular site inspections and hold monthly reviews of project progress. He emphasized that all works must adhere to prescribed milestones and warned that strict action would be taken against contractors failing to maintain the required pace of construction.
The Secretary reviewed the status of bridge projects division-wise and year-wise, with special focus on projects being executed under the RCPLWA scheme in Bastar. He directed that all such bridges be completed by December this year.
To streamline project execution, Mr. Bansal instructed the Chief Engineer to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) covering every stage of bridge, flyover and railway over-bridge construction, ensuring that all processes are completed within fixed timelines.
Highlighting the importance of safety, he directed officials to strictly enforce road safety norms and maintain all prescribed safety standards at construction sites to prevent accidents and safeguard lives and property.
The Secretary also asked field officers to closely supervise works and ensure that contractors receive monthly payments without unnecessary delays. He directed officials to submit cost estimates for priority bridge projects under the 2025-26 and 2026-27 financial years by July 31.
He further instructed officials to prioritize bridges that would provide all-weather connectivity to remote villages and improve transport infrastructure along high-speed corridors. District authorities have been asked to expedite resolution of issues such as land acquisition, forest clearances, blasting permissions, tree felling and site disputes, while unresolved matters should be escalated for higher-level intervention.
Emphasizing accountability, Mr. Bansal directed engineers to maintain strict quality control over construction materials and workmanship while ensuring timely execution of projects. He also instructed officials to upload details of all bridges to the Government of India’s Gati Shakti portal by July 10.
Skywalk Project Targeted for Completion by December
Reviewing the progress of the Raipur Skywalk project, Mr. Bansal directed officials to prepare a comprehensive operation and maintenance plan before the facility becomes operational. He asked them to ensure permanent arrangements for cleanliness, electricity supply and maintenance, besides initiating discussions with the Municipal Corporation regarding its eventual handover.
Officials informed the meeting that the 1.2-km-long skywalk is targeted for completion by December and will feature nine escalators and four lifts to facilitate pedestrian movement.
Contractors Asked to Maintain Quality and Speed
The PWD Secretary also held a separate meeting with contractors executing bridge projects across the state to assess on-ground challenges and review progress. He instructed them to maintain construction quality while accelerating work in accordance with contractual timelines.
Mr. Bansal said the bridge projects are vital for connecting remote regions with the main road network and ensuring uninterrupted transportation of passengers and goods throughout the year. He stressed that there would be no compromise on quality or timely completion of these critical infrastructure projects.
The meeting was attended by Engineer-in-Chief V.K. Bhatpahari, Chief Engineer (Bridge Zone) S.K. Kori, Superintending Engineer D.K. Maheshwari, along with superintending engineers, executive engineers and sub-divisional officers from across the state.
