BHUBANESWAR,15/10(PPT): Odisha Law, Works and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan has directed officials to complete all pending road repair works in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and adjoining areas within two days, ahead of the Durga Puja festivities.
The directive was issued at a high-level review meeting chaired by the Minister to assess the progress of road repairs across the twin cities and their surrounding areas. Officials informed the meeting that most roads in poor condition had been repaired in accordance with earlier instructions. MLAs present at the meeting thanked the State government and the Works Department for expediting the work in their respective constituencies.
Harichandan instructed the concerned chief engineers and superintending engineers to ensure that the remaining repairs were completed within the stipulated deadline. Emphasising the need for durable infrastructure, he also called for the adoption of modern road construction techniques to improve road quality and extend the lifespan of repaired stretches.
Works Department Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh expressed concern over alleged instances of institutional departments digging up roads in good condition without prior permission. He directed superintending engineers and junior engineers to remain vigilant and take firm action against institutions found violating the prescribed norms. He also asked officials to inspect vehicle underpasses (VUPs) along national highways and submit detailed reports to the department.
The meeting further emphasised the need for advance planning to ensure that road repair works are completed well before major festivals. Although a substantial portion of the work was completed ahead of Durga Puja this year, officials were asked to ensure that such repairs are finished before Ganesh Puja in subsequent years.
Among those present at the meeting were MLAs Babu Singh, Naba Kishore Mallick and Souvik Biswal; Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das; Cuttack Mayor Subash Chandra Singh; Cuttack Municipal Corporation Commissioner Kirandeep Kaur Sahota; former MLA Priyadarshi Mishra; senior politician Jagannath Pradhan; Works Department Engineer-in-Chief and Special Secretary Sameer Hota; Engineer-in-Chief (Civil) Satyabrata Behera; and other senior engineers.