Patna: The Municipal Commissioner of the Patna Municipal Corporation has ordered strict action against eight engineers and called for intensified monitoring of ongoing infrastructure projects after a review meeting on Thursday highlighted delays and quality concerns in road and pipeline works across the city.
Chairing a comprehensive review of road restoration, pipeline laying and construction projects, Commissioner Yashpal Meena directed that quality inspections of road-related works will now be carried out by the Road Construction Department (RCD), while water supply and pipeline projects will be inspected by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED). He instructed officials to formally coordinate with both departments immediately and warned that any compromise on quality would not be tolerated.
During the meeting, officials presented a status report on 120 water supply schemes under the municipal Water Supply Division. Of these, 60 projects are currently in progress, 28 have been completed, work orders have been issued for 10, and Letters of Award (LoA) have been granted for 18. One scheme remains at the agreement finalisation stage.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the pace of execution, the Commissioner pulled up officials for what he described as negligence and slow progress. He ordered the issuance of show-cause notices to the Executive Engineer (Civil), an Assistant Engineer (Civil), and six Junior Engineers of the Water Supply Division. He also directed that their salaries be withheld until further orders.
The review also covered major road restoration works across city divisions. In Nutan Rajdhani Division, 10.33 km of 24.48 km has been completed. In Patliputra Division, 12.80 km of 34.47 km has been finished. Kankarbagh Division has completed 10.87 km of 22.29 km, Bankipur Division 3.94 km of 9.85 km, Patna City Division 3.80 km of 9.30 km, and Azimabad Division 2.41 km of 5 km.
Issuing a strict deadline, the Commissioner directed all executive engineers to complete ongoing projects by May 30. He instructed officials to remain on-site and supervise work in two shifts, and said no new projects should be initiated if they cannot be completed within the deadline. He also ordered that all excavated sites be restored immediately to prevent inconvenience to the public.
The Commissioner further mandated that all construction sites must display information boards and have proper barricading to ensure public safety. He warned that in case of accidents or loss of life due to negligence during the monsoon, first information reports would be filed against responsible contractors and engineers.
The corporation’s intensified focus on accountability comes amid growing concerns over urban infrastructure delays and recurring civic disruptions across Patna.
