Mahasamund: A ₹10 crore road widening project in Mahasamund district has become a major source of inconvenience and safety concern for local residents due to slow execution, repeated water pipeline damage, and lack of safety measures.
The road widening work from BTI Road to Collector Colony, covering a stretch of approximately 2.3 kilometers, was approved to improve traffic flow and urban infrastructure. However, residents allege that the project has turned daily commuting into a risky ordeal.
Poor Pace and Repeated Disruptions
The project is being executed by the Public Works Department (PWD), with the contract awarded to M/s Kiran Buildcon. The scope of work includes road widening, drainage construction on both sides, and installation of a central divider.
Despite months of work involving excavation, tree cutting, and relocation of electric poles, residents claim that progress has been extremely slow. In several places, construction material lies scattered, and debris has not been cleared.
Open Pits, No Warning Signs
Locals have raised serious concerns over safety lapses at the construction site. According to residents, no warning boards, reflective markers, or barricades filled with sand have been installed around open pits. The situation becomes especially dangerous at night, increasing the risk of accidents.
Several residents have reportedly suffered injuries after falling into uncovered trenches dug without prior public notice.
Repeated Pipeline Bursts Trigger Water Crisis
During excavation using heavy machinery, underground water pipelines have been damaged multiple times. Residents claim that 10 to 12 pipeline bursts have occurred so far, resulting in two to three days of drinking water shortage each time.
“The dust is constant, and it’s affecting our health. Construction materials are lying in an unorganized manner, and accidents can happen at any moment,” said local resident Saurav Jain.
Former councilor Pankaj Sahu criticized the execution, calling it a “name-only Gaurav Path” project being carried out at a “snail’s pace.”
Residents Demand Immediate Action
Several citizens, including Lakshmikant Sen and other local residents, have urged the district administration to take immediate action against the contractor and concerned officials for negligence and violation of safety norms.
Collector Orders Probe
Responding to the growing outrage, Vinay Kumar Langeh, Collector of Mahasamund, announced the formation of a three-member investigation committee. He also stated that a third-party inspection would be conducted through engineers from another department.
“Necessary instructions were already given to PWD officials earlier. We will now conduct a third-party inquiry, and strict action will be taken based on the findings,” the Collector said.
Broader Safety Concerns
The incident has renewed concerns over construction safety standards, especially in light of recent fatal accidents reported in cities like Delhi, Noida, and Kanpur due to uncovered road pits. Despite these incidents, contractors continue to overlook basic safety protocols, raising serious questions about accountability.