Odisha Unveils Bridge Repair Policy; Road Maintenance Plan Coming Soon

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to boost Odisha’s infrastructure, Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Wednesday unveiled the state’s “Bridge Repair Policy”, aimed at strengthening and modernizing the existing bridge network. He also announced that a comprehensive “Road Maintenance Policy” is currently being developed and will be introduced soon.

The announcements were made during a high-level review meeting held at Lok Seva Bhawan, where the Works Department evaluated projects worth over ₹50 crore. The meeting focused on accelerating ongoing infrastructure works, including roads, bridges, and public buildings.

Emphasizing the importance of quality and timely execution, the Minister urged engineers to improve their work practices and integrate modern technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiency. He reiterated the state government’s vision of transforming Odisha into a developed state by 2036, with robust infrastructure forming the backbone of this goal.

Harichandan also stressed the need for regular inspection and maintenance of infrastructure. He advised departmental officers and construction companies to ensure completion of projects within stipulated timelines and to address bottlenecks related to land acquisition and forest clearance issues.

During the meeting, key projects such as the Berhampur Bypass, Khordha Bypass, and the Puri-Konark road were reviewed. While the Minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of many works, he instructed engineers and contractors to speed up delayed projects and improve coordination.

A strict warning was issued against construction agencies outsourcing project responsibilities to third parties without authorization. The Minister directed the department to investigate such cases and take firm action against defaulters.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, senior engineers, departmental officials, and representatives from major construction firms.