State Public Works Department Minister Rakesh Singh chaired a review meeting via video conferencing from Jabalpur, assessing departmental reports submitted by inspection teams across the State. The meeting, held in Bhopal, focused on ensuing initiatives including a massive plantation drive and water conservation efforts. Minister Singh reviewed preparations for the plantation of one lakh saplings on July 1. He asked officials to ensure the protection, maintenance and geo-tagging of each plant. Singh emphasised departmental participation in the Prime Minister’s campaign, “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,” encouraging officers to involve their families, especially children in plantation activities.

 

The Minister also set a target for constructing 500 Lok Kalyan Sarovars (public welfare ponds) to promote water conservation alongside road development. Of these, 20 ponds will be inspected personally by the Minister, while Chief Engineers will examine ten each. It may be noted that to enhance construction quality, the PWD has implemented a systematic, computerised plan for surprise inspections. Every month on the 5th and 20th, 35 projects are selected randomly for on-the-spot inspection, with same-day online reporting. Recently, seven teams of Chief Engineers inspected 35 projects across Betul, Balaghat, Sheopur, Burhanpur, Anuppur, Mandsaur and Damoh. These included works under various agencies including PWD (14), PIU (11), MP Road Development Corporation (6), MP Building Development Corporation (3) and NH (1).

 

During the review, the court building in Balaghat was rated highly, with commendations issued to Executive Engineer Udal Singh Uike, SDM Anand Rao Bansore and Sub-Engineer Mamta Dhurve. Similarly, Sheopur’s Karhal-Sarai-Bargawan road project was praised, with appreciation for Executive Engineer Vishnu Agrawal, SDM Anjali Prajapati and Sub-Engineer M C Dandotia. On the other hand, shortcomings were noted in the Anuppur-Darri Kherkha road project, leading action against contractor M/s Gawar Construction Ltd., Gurugram. Delays in Burhanpur's Sival-Kerpani-Amulla Paretha route and Anuppur's Kamrod-Chatua-Tankitola road also led to directives for action against the respective contractors. Senior officials attended the meeting were Chief Engineers P S Rana, S R Baghel, Anil Shrivastava, Technical Advisor R K Mehra, Deputy Secretary A R Singh, other Engineers and Inspection officers.