MCB District, Chhattisgarh: Roads constructed under India’s Janman Scheme, a rural infrastructure initiative implemented through the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), have come under scrutiny in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB) district after villagers alleged that the newly built roads began deteriorating just three months after completion.
Following complaints from local residents and media reports, District Collector Santan Devi Jangde has ordered an official investigation into the quality of construction and assured that appropriate action will be taken if any irregularities are confirmed.
Villagers Allege Poor Construction Quality
The controversy centers on roads built in Banji Gram Panchayat, particularly in the Dakshin Para and Baiga Para areas. According to local residents, the roads developed large cracks after only two days of rainfall, raising concerns about construction standards.
Village Sarpanch Dev Kumar alleged that the contractor used substandard materials and that the work was carried out without proper quality control.
“The contractor laid only a very thin surface layer over the gravel base. Along the 21-kilometer stretch, retaining walls have collapsed in several places, and large cracks appeared on the road after just two days of rain. Culverts were constructed in flat areas instead of locations where they were actually needed,” Dev Kumar said.
Retaining Walls Collapse, Farmland Affected
Residents also claimed that several retaining walls built alongside the roads have already collapsed.
Heavy rainfall reportedly washed away soil and gravel from the road shoulders into nearby agricultural fields, causing damage to farmland and creating difficulties for farmers during the monsoon season.
Local resident Ramdeen described the project as “extremely poor-quality construction,” alleging that the roads failed almost immediately after being exposed to rain.
Major Rural Infrastructure Program Under Scrutiny
The Janman Scheme, implemented under PMGSY, aims to improve road connectivity in rural and remote areas by constructing all-weather roads.
Officials say that approximately 200 roads have been approved under the program in MCB district, with several already completed and others still under construction.
The allegations in Banji have raised broader concerns about construction quality, project supervision, and the effective use of public funds allocated for rural infrastructure.
District Administration Orders Probe
When questioned about the allegations, officials from the PMGSY Department reportedly did not provide a satisfactory explanation.
After learning about the issue through media coverage, District Collector Santan Devi Jangde directed authorities to conduct a detailed investigation into the project.
The Collector stated that the administration is treating the matter seriously and assured that strict action will be taken against anyone found responsible for negligence, poor workmanship, or violations of construction standards.
Key Takeaway
The incident has renewed concerns over quality control, contractor accountability, and oversight of publicly funded infrastructure projects in rural India. With roads reportedly deteriorating within three months of construction, the outcome of the official investigation is expected to determine whether construction defects, procedural lapses, or corruption contributed to the alleged failures.
