Every Law Bent in Judicial Building Construction

Bhubaneswar: Public trust in the judiciary is high. Citizens expect it to uphold the rule of law, a key part of good governance. However, corruption involving Odisha Works Department officials and certain contractors has allegedly tainted a judicial building project near Bhanja Kala Mandap in Bhubaneswar. This casts a shadow over the project’s integrity. Reports suggest that nearly every rule may have been bent. Officials and contractors allegedly siphoned off public funds meant for this building.

Originally budgeted at Rs 82 crore, the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, Dilip Khatoi Constructions, with SM Consultants as the project advisor. However, deviations soon raised the project’s cost to Rs 204 crore. Allegations of irregularities arose, particularly during the soil excavation process, with the Works Department accused of inflating costs without justification. The rates set for soil excavation were reportedly based on a questionable and faulty Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by SM Consultants. These irregularities are believed to have cost the state exchequer crores of rupees.

Violation of the OPWD Code Raises Red Flags

In a significant breach, Dilip Khatoi Constructions, the main contractor, joined the Financial Estimate Committee. This violated the OPWD (Odisha Public Works Department) Code. Auditors flagged the high excavation costs. The Works Department issued a Rs 4 crore fine to the contractor. However, this penalty remains uncollected. It seems to exist only on paper. This raises further questions about the Department’s lack of oversight and enforcement.

To offset potential financial losses for Dilip Khatoi Constructions, officials reportedly awarded the same contractor a Rs 50 crore contract to construct a multi-level parking structure within the judicial complex—without issuing a public tender. Observers argue that a competitive bidding process might have saved public funds, adding that favoritism likely inflated project costs.

Structural Issues and Safety Concerns Surface

Cracks have now appeared throughout the four-story judicial building, which houses approximately 750 rooms. While the contractor performed temporary repairs, new cracks soon reappeared, exposing shoddy workmanship and the use of substandard materials. Concerns about the building’s structural integrity and potential for collapse have alarmed the public.

Notably, Dilip Khatoi Constructions was previously involved in the tunnel project at Biju Patnaik International Airport, which collapsed, resulting in the death of a worker and injuries to others. Despite such incidents, the Works Department’s continued trust in this contractor suggests a persistent bias, stirring significant public distrust. Odisha judicial building construction corruption.

Top Officials’ Nexus and Need for an Independent Probe

The role of top officials, including Engineer-in-Chief Manoranjan Mishra, Chief Engineer (Building) JN Nayak, and Chief Construction Engineer and Financial Advisor, has come under scrutiny. Their alleged complicity in overlooking contract violations and endorsing deviations suggests deep-rooted corruption within the Works Department. This favoritism, which reportedly allows contractors to operate without accountability, has cost the state exchequer dearly.

An independent agency’s probe has been demanded by the intelligentsia to unearth these scams and hold guilty officials accountable. The public’s call for action emphasizes the urgency of protecting judicial projects from unethical practices and restoring faith in governance structures.

By exposing these irregularities and holding responsible parties to account, Odisha can move toward a transparent, law-abiding, and corruption-free construction sector, safeguarding public funds and strengthening the rule of law.