Bhubaneswar: Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan has unveiled the “Bridge Repair Policy” in a bid to strengthen the state’s infrastructure. The Minister announced that a “Road Maintenance Policy” is also in the pipeline. The announcement was made during a review meeting of projects worth over Rs 50 crore held by the Works Department at Lok Seva Bhawan.
The Minister emphasised the need for quality and timely completion of infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and buildings. He stressed that engineers need to improve their work style and adopt modern technologies like artificial intelligence to achieve this goal. The state government aims to make Odisha a developed state by 2036, and infrastructure development is a key aspect of this vision.
The Minister highlighted the importance of regular inspection and maintenance of infrastructure. He advised departmental officers and construction companies to complete projects within the stipulated timeframe and resolve issues related to land acquisition and forest land problems.
During the meeting, the Minister and Principal Secretary of the Works Department, Sanjay Kumar Singh, reviewed various projects, including the Berhampur Bypass, Khordha Bypass, and Puri-Konark road projects. The Minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of many projects but directed engineers and construction agencies to expedite delayed projects.
The Minister also directed the department to investigate cases of construction agencies outsourcing project work to others and take strict action against those found guilty. The meeting was attended by senior departmental officers, engineers, and construction company officials.
