No compromise will be tolerated as far as quality is concerned in road construction: Chief Minister Sai

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai taking a high-level review meeting of the Public Works Department on Friday March 6, 2026 at the Ministry. Mahanadi Bhawan Nava Raipur -Photo Credit-CG/PR

IN Short

• Officials should conduct regular field inspections during construction; action will be taken against those found negligent, and contractors will be blacklisted

• Instructions to set timelines for the entire process from tender to award

• Government buildings should be constructed using modern designs and technology

Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has taken a tough stand on the quality and timeliness of road construction in the state. He issued clear instructions that any negligence or substandard work will not be tolerated. If any inadequacy are found in the construction work, action will be taken against the concerned officials and the guilty contractors will be blacklisted, CM Sai noted .

Chief Minister Sai issued these instructions on Friday March 6, 2026 during a high-level review meeting of the Public Works Department (PWD)’s work and activities at the Ministry Mahanadi Bhawan. Deputy Chief Minister and Public Works Minister Arun Sao were present at the meeting.

Chief Minister Sai instructed officials to regularly monitor quality during construction, rather than conducting inspections after road construction. He stated that road construction is not merely a technical task, but a crucial infrastructure project related to public convenience and also contributes to the government’s image. If a road deteriorates within a few years of construction, it impacts the government’s credibility, Sai added.

At the meeting, the Chief Minister expressed displeasure over the poor condition of the Baghbahar-Kotba road. He stated that the road was built only a few years ago, but its condition has deteriorated rapidly. If the road doesn’t last even four years, it becomes untenable , he said .

The Chief Minister directed all the concerned officials that the defects in the construction of this road be seriously investigated and strict quality monitoring be ensured during construction to prevent such a situation in the future, Sai affirmed.

The Chief Minister also said that large-scale road construction work is underway in the state, but the public is not informed about these projects, which hinders a positive narrative. He directed that the foundation stone laying and groundbreaking ceremonies for major road projects be performed by the Chief Minister and ministers, and that these be widely publicised, the CM added.

The Chief Minister directed officials to establish clear timelines for the entire road construction process, from tender issuance to work award. He stated that many contractors obtain tenders at very low rates, resulting in work not being completed on time and in a quality manner. In such situations, the accountability of the contractor concerned should be fixed. If a contractor obtains a tender at a below-rate rate, it will be their responsibility to ensure the quality and timeliness of the work, Sai noted .

The Chief Minister stated that clear regulations need to be developed to ensure quality and timeliness in construction projects. He directed officials to study the best practices in place in other states and implement appropriate provisions in Chhattisgarh. Serious consideration should also be given to establishing a separate unit for technical work such as tenders and DPRs, CM instructed.

The Chief Minister stated that approximately 300 villages have been identified in the state where communication is completely cut off during the rainy season. To reach such villages, people often have to carry sick patients on stretchers, which is a matter of grave concern. Based on the list received from the Food Department, connecting these identified villages with roads and bridges should be prioritised, CM asked,

Chief Minister Sai also emphasised the need to construct the Lalungha–Kunjara–Tolgepahar–Milupara–Tamnar road. He stated that this area is home to a large population, and road construction is essential. Forest clearance will be required for some sections of this route, but construction work on the remaining sections should commence soon, he ordered.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of the Manendragarh–Surajpur–Ambikapur–Pathalgaon–Kunkuri–Jashpur–Jharkhand Border National Highway No. 43. The status of this approximately 353-kilometer road project was discussed. Information regarding the payment of land acquisition compensation for the Pathalgaon–Kunkuri section was also shared. Additionally, the progress of several other projects, including the Ambikapur-Semarsot-Ramanujganj-Garhwa road, the Geedam-Dantewada road, the Champa-Sakti-Raigarh-Odisha border road, the Raipur-Durg road, and roads in the Chilfi region, was reviewed.

The meeting also discussed in detail the construction and upgradation of 17 roads, including bridges and culverts, in Bastar. A detailed outline of the upcoming action plan for the State Expressway Connectivity was also presented.

Reviewing the construction work, the Chief Minister stated that the designs of government buildings in the state appear outdated and monotonous. It is time to construct government buildings using modern design and technology.

He emphasised that building designs should be appropriate for their utility, and that vertical structures should be favored over horizontal ones for better land utilisation.

The Chief Minister also directed that the guest house being constructed at the Raj Bhavan be modernised and dignified as soon as possible .

The Chief Minister said that roads are directly linked to the lives of the common people, and they are attached with great importance to the quality of roads. While many other development projects may not be visible, roads are directly visible to the public, and the government’s image is also formed on their basis, CM noted.

Therefore, the Public Works Department is a very important department, and it is essential that its work be completed with timeliness and quality. He directed officials to develop a system that would provide timely information about potholes on roads and ensure their immediate repair, the CM instructed.

Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Public Works Department Dr. Kamalpreet Singh, Secretary to the Chief Minister Mukesh Bansal, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rahul Bhagat, and senior officials of the Public Works Department were present on the occasion .