Patna: Bihar chief secretary, Pratyaya Amrit, on Monday held a weekly review meeting to assess progress on some of the state’s most significant infrastructure projects, including the North Koel Reservoir Project, the Mandai Weir Irrigation Project and the Tajpur–Bakhtiyarpur greenfield bridge over river Ganga.
The meeting focused on the current status of the projects, hurdles affecting progress and the roadmap ahead. Reviewing the North Koel Reservoir Project, the chief secretary issued strict instructions to the district magistrate of Gaya to take immediate punitive action against contractors found to be negligent or working at an unacceptably slow pace. He said that manpower and excavation machinery should be increased at the site if required to ensure timely completion.
To speed up work on the Mandai Weir Irrigation Project, Amrit directed the Water Resources Department to ensure active deployment of officers in the affected districts. Officials informed the meeting that 30 junior engineers had been specially deputed to Jehanabad to facilitate land acquisition. The engineers will conduct door-to-door visits to landowners and assist them in completing compensation-related formalities.
The Road Construction Department presented an update on the Tajpur–Bakhtiyarpur greenfield bridge being built across Ganga. The department said construction was progressing satisfactorily and remained on track for completion within the stipulated timeframe.
The chief secretary, however, emphasised the need for constant monitoring and instructed all concerned officials to undertake regular field visits so that technical or administrative issues could be resolved promptly at the ground level.
Senior officials from the water resources, road construction, planning and development, and finance departments, along with the district magistrates concerned, attended the meeting via video conferencing.
