A high-level review meeting on the implementation of Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) projects, being executed with assistance from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), was held today in Bhubaneswar.
The meeting was chaired by Odisha Works Department Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh at Lok Seva Bhawan.
Of the 192 RIDF projects sanctioned in the State, 124 have already been completed. The remaining 68 projects — comprising 44 bridges and 24 roads — are currently under implementation. The Principal Secretary closely examined the progress of these ongoing works and identified key bottlenecks, including utility shifting, forest clearance and land acquisition issues that have been delaying completion.
Emphasising the need for urgency, Singh directed officials to maintain close coordination with line departments and District Administrations to ensure prompt resolution of these hurdles. He reiterated the strong emphasis placed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Minister for Works Prithiviraj Harichandan on the speedy execution of infrastructure projects across the State.
The Principal Secretary further stressed that while adhering to stipulated timelines, the highest standards of quality must be maintained. He called for regular monitoring mechanisms to track progress and ensure that the remaining projects are completed at the earliest.
Senior officials present at the meeting included Er. Sameer Hota, EIC-cum-Special Secretary; Ratikant Mohapatra, FA-cum-Special Secretary; Pradeep Kumar Sahu, Additional Secretary; Er. Sundar Madhab Padhi, Deputy Secretary; Er. Pravash Kumar Majhi, Chief Engineer, Bridge-I; Er. Tapan Kumar Behera, Chief Engineer, Bridge-II, along with the concerned Superintending Engineers.
