Agitation in Front of Nirman Sadan

Tension gripped Odisha’s capital on Saturday as hundreds of civil and electrical contractors gathered in front of Nirman Sadan, the state’s Works Department headquarters, demanding immediate clearance of their pending dues. Chanting slogans like “Pay our bills, give us work”, the contractors blocked the entrance, forcing officials including the Engineer-in-Chief (EIC) and Chief Engineer to remain confined to their offices for hours.

Contractors Struggle Amid Delayed Payments

According to the agitators, payments for completed projects have been pending for nearly two months, leaving small and medium contractors on the brink of financial collapse. Many contractors alleged that despite completing infrastructure works like roads, bridges, and electrification, they have been denied timely payments, making it difficult to pay labourers and sustain operations.

“We have completed our work on time, yet our bills remain stuck in files. We are unable to pay our workers or manage our families. If this continues, many of us will be forced to shut down our businesses,” said one protesting contractor.

Demand for Regular Work Allocation

Apart from dues, the protesters raised the issue of irregular allocation of government projects. They claimed that large firms often corner most contracts while smaller, local contractors are sidelined. “We are not asking for favours, only for fair distribution of projects so that we can survive,” another contractor asserted.

Warning of Escalated Agitation

The agitating contractors warned the government that if their demands are not met soon, they will intensify the agitation by staging state-wide protests, including road blockades and indefinite sit-ins in front of government offices. They also threatened to boycott upcoming tenders, which could delay crucial public infrastructure projects across Odisha.

Political Undercurrents

The protest has also triggered political debate in the state. The Opposition accused the BJP-led government of financial mismanagement, pointing out that pending dues have created unrest among contractors, suppliers, and even government staff in several departments. The ruling party, however, maintained that payments were delayed due to administrative bottlenecks but assured that contractors’ concerns will be addressed soon.

Hope for Resolution

With the agitation gaining momentum, the Works Department is under pressure to act swiftly. Officials hinted that the government is working on a special clearance mechanism to release pending dues and ensure smoother flow of funds in the future. However, contractors remain sceptical until they see money in their accounts.

For now, the protest at Nirman Sadan has brought to light the larger financial challenges facing Odisha’s infrastructure sector. Whether the government responds with concrete action or allows the crisis to deepen will decide the course of the contractors’ movement in the coming days.

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