Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh |A newly constructed concrete road in Nevara village of Takhatpur area in India’s central state of Chhattisgarh has started deteriorating within just a month of completion, triggering outrage among local residents who have accused officials and contractors of using substandard construction materials and engaging in corruption.
The controversy is centered around a 450-meter cement concrete (CC) road built under the government-backed “Gaurav Path” development scheme at an estimated cost of ₹3.6 million (approximately $43,000 USD). The road was completed in March 2026 after nearly four to five months of construction work, but villagers say the surface has already begun peeling apart, with gravel coming loose and layers of sand visible beneath the concrete.
Residents of Nevara village, located along the Bilaspur-Kota Road in Bilaspur district, recorded videos of the damaged road and submitted a formal complaint to district authorities. The villagers have demanded strict action against the officials and contractors allegedly responsible for the poor-quality work.
According to locals, the construction failed to meet approved engineering standards and material specifications. They claim that the quantity and quality of materials used in the road project were significantly lower than what had been sanctioned in the official estimate.
“The road has started breaking apart even before the rainy season arrived,” said local resident Bihari Singh Todar while speaking to media representatives. He alleged that inferior materials were deliberately used to cut costs and misappropriate public funds.
Villagers further stated that proper groundwork and base strengthening — considered essential before laying concrete roads — was either poorly executed or ignored entirely. They also pointed out that drainage channels were not constructed alongside the road, raising fears that heavy monsoon rains could worsen the damage dramatically in the coming months.
The incident has intensified public anger in the village, with residents questioning the accountability of the executing agency and local authorities overseeing the project. Citizens are now urging the district administration and the Government of Chhattisgarh to launch a detailed technical investigation into the project’s construction quality, financial transparency, and implementation process.
The complaint has reportedly been submitted to the Bilaspur District Collector, and villagers are awaiting official action against those found responsible.
