In a no-nonsense review meeting that sent a clear message across the state’s construction sector, Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan today put projects worth over Rs 50 crore under the microscope.
With quality, speed, and zero tolerance for negligence as his mantra, the minister warned that any slip-ups — by officials or contractors — will invite strict action.
Speaking at the Convention Hall in Lok Seva Bhawan, Harichandan declared that every project must reflect Odisha’s unique identity and deliver on time. “These are not just government works — they are dreams of the people of Odisha,” he said.
From the iconic Puri Heritage Project to grand temple upgrades and strategic river bridges, each initiative is a building block for the state’s future. Any carelessness, he added, “will not be tolerated.”
The minister gave special attention to completing all essential works in Puri well before this year’s Rath Yatra. He also issued a sharp warning to the contractor handling the SCB Clinical and Residential Complex: the project must be finished within the original deadline. “No time extension will be granted,” he directed, adding that failure to deliver would trigger “firm disciplinary action.”
Officials reviewed progress on an ambitious list of 37 major works, including:
- Construction of Baseli Sahi Dharmasala in Puri
- Parking facilities at Digbareni and Samang
- Ravenshaw Girls’ Hostel
- MLAs’ quarters and Type-4 & Type-2 residential complexes in Bhubaneswar
- Second bridge over the Brahmani River
- Upgradation of Sarala and Mahima temples
- Jajpur Sports Complex
- 10 roads, 9 bridges, 8 buildings, and 20 OBCC projects
Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh Wamish urged all engineers and officers to make full use of modern online monitoring applications and ensure seamless coordination between departments to keep projects on track.
Senior officials present included OBCC Managing Director Anupam Saha, Special Secretary Er. L.K. Padhi, Chief Engineers from various wings, Executive Engineers, and representatives of contracting agencies.
The message from today’s meeting was loud and clear: Odisha’s infrastructure drive is in top gear, and every stakeholder must deliver with speed, precision, and complete accountability.
