Patna: Bihar’s Rural Works Minister Ashok Chaudhary has called for an accelerated push to rural infrastructure development, emphasising both timely delivery and uncompromised quality during a departmental review meeting held on Saturday.
Chaired by Chaudhary, the meeting focused on the implementation status of several key rural development schemes, including the Mukhyamantri Gram Sampark Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, and the Mukhyamantri Gramin Setu Yojana. Top officials, including Additional Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar Singh, were in attendance, with Superintending Engineers from across the state joining via video conference.
Chaudhary instructed officials to expedite the selection of schemes for the 2025–26 financial year and to immediately begin work on those where tenders have been finalised. “Execution must be swift, but there should be no compromise on quality,” he said, underlining the importance of continuous monitoring.
The review also assessed progress on infrastructure pledges made during Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Pragati Yatra. Chaudhary directed all concerned departments to fast-track approved projects and set firm deadlines to maintain momentum in rural development.
According to departmental figures, more than 1.41 lakh kilometres of roads and 3,847 bridges are planned under various schemes. Of these, 1.18 lakh kilometres of roads and 2,201 bridges have already been completed.
Chaudhary has set August 20 a deadline for ensuring that all roads approved under the Chief Minister’s remaining schemes, as well as the Rural Road Strengthening Programme, are rendered pothole-free. He urged engineers to intensify field inspections to ensure progress and quality.
