Patna : Contractors leaving potholes or unfinished work on roads will now face strict legal action, including the filing of First Information Reports (FIRs), under a newly established Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) introduced by the Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (BUDCO). The SOP, implemented on the directive of BUDCO’s Managing Director, Animesh Kumar Parashar, is aimed at ensuring that infrastructure projects prioritise public safety and are completed on time.
The new guidelines also hold engineers and project directors accountable, with provisions for financial penalties and legal action if standards are not met. Coordination with relevant departments and stakeholders will now be mandatory before initiating any construction work.
Crackdown on Contractors and Engineers
Until now, the absence of a clear SOP had led to unregulated construction practices across Bihar’s cities, often resulting in haphazard digging and incomplete projects. Contractors and engineers, operating without oversight, left roads and drainage systems in disarray, creating significant inconvenience for residents. In some cases, open pits and unfinished work led to accidents and fatalities.
“Contractors were not completing projects on time, and there was a lack of proper monitoring by project directors and engineers,” an official said. “This created chaos across the city and delayed critical infrastructure projects.”
Storm Drain Construction to Begin at Outfalls
The SOP mandates that the construction of stormwater drainage systems must now start from the outfall — the point where water is discharged — and extend through the localities and colonies along its path. Previously, drainage work was often initiated arbitrarily at various points, leaving projects incomplete and causing problems for residents.
The new guidelines prevent contractors from beginning construction without a clear plan, ensuring that the system is developed in a logical sequence. This approach aims to prevent delays and ensure that the drainage systems function efficiently once completed.
Pipeline Work to Follow a Defined Sequence
Similarly, the laying of sewerage and water supply pipelines will follow a structured process. Work will commence from the intermediate pumping station, with pipelines being extended progressively from the source to the outfall. Random or disorganised construction will no longer be permitted, reducing the likelihood of incomplete or malfunctioning systems.
Addressing Past Failures
The implementation of this SOP is a response to widespread issues in Bihar’s infrastructure projects, where poorly monitored work led to prolonged disruption in public spaces. Residents had long complained about the chaotic state of city roads and the dangers posed by open pits and incomplete projects.
