Public Works Department Secretary Reviews Progress of Under-Construction Works in Jails

Instructs Executive Engineers, Jail Superintendents, and Contractors to Speed Up Works Through Better Coordination

Emphasizes Special Attention to Quality and Timelines

Raipur. Public Works Department Secretary, Mr. Mukesh Kumar Bansal, reviewed the progress of under-construction works in various jails across the state. In a meeting held today at the PWD headquarters 'Nirman Bhawan', he instructed the district's Executive Engineers, Jail Superintendents, and contractors to expedite and complete the works soon by coordinating better. Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Mr. Himanshu Gupta, and Principal Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, Mr. V.K. Bhatpahari, also attended the meeting. Executive Engineers, contractors, and Jail Superintendents from various divisions of the Public Works Department joined the meeting via video conference.

In the meeting, the Secretary of the Public Works Department reviewed the ongoing works of barracks, boundary walls, toilets, and watchtowers in various jails of the state. He sought information on the pace and quality of construction works from departmental officials as well as superintendents of all jails. He directed the officials to regularly visit the work sites and strictly monitor the progress. He also asked the contractors to speed up the work and complete it on time, ensuring the quality of construction materials and execution.

Mr. Bansal instructed the Executive Engineers and Jail Superintendents to make proper arrangements for the transportation of construction materials within the jail premises, keeping in view the safety standards. He asked the Jail Superintendents to provide sufficient time for labor daily. Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Mr. Himanshu Gupta, stated in the meeting that jails are housing more prisoners than their capacity. The construction of new barracks and expansion of existing facilities will provide relief. He urged the field officers of the Public Works Department, Jail Superintendents, and contractors to work at a fast pace to complete the works within the stipulated time.

*Works Reviewed*

In the meeting, the Secretary of the Public Works Department reviewed the construction works of parking sheds, school sheds, sheds for visitors-relatives, and toilet construction at Raipur Central Jail. He also reviewed the works for a special jail with a capacity of 1500 inmates at Ngoi, Bilaspur; boundary walls at Dhamtari and Gariyaband District Jails; barrack construction works at Janjgir, Ramanujganj, Surajpur, Kanker, Sanjari-Balod District Jails, and Sarangarh Sub-Jail. The departmental secretary reviewed the progress of increasing the height of the main wall at Kawardha Sub-Jail; barrack and toilet construction for prisoners at Ambikapur and Jagdalpur Central Jails; toilet construction at Dantewada District Jail; concertina wire fencing around the main walls, watchtower construction at Sukma District Jail; and watchtower construction at Bijapur Sub-Jail, and gave necessary instructions to the officials.