Capital City Tense as Contractors Hit the Streets

Bhubaneswar witnessed high drama on Saturday when hundreds of civil and electrical contractors staged a massive protest in front of Nirman Sadan, the Works Department headquarters, and later moved towards the residence of the Works Minister. Raising slogans like “Kaam diya, paisa do” and “Pending bills clear karo”, the agitators blocked the main entrance, effectively confining senior officials including the Engineer-in-Chief (EIC) and Chief Engineer inside their offices for hours.

Payments Delayed, Contractors on Brink of Collapse

The contractors alleged that payments for projects completed nearly two months ago remain uncleared, pushing small and medium contractors into a financial crisis. Many said that despite finishing works like road construction, bridge repairs, and electrification projects on time, the government had failed to release their dues.
“We have honoured our deadlines, but our bills are stuck in files. Without payments, we cannot pay workers or manage our families. If this continues, we may have to shut down,” said one agitated contractor.

Demand for Fair Work Distribution

The protestors also flagged the issue of unequal work allocation, alleging that big companies were cornering most government contracts while smaller local contractors were being sidelined. “We are not asking for charity. We only demand fair opportunities in project distribution so that small contractors can survive,” another contractor stated.

Agitators Warn of Escalation

Issuing a stern warning, the contractors threatened to expand their agitation across the state if their dues are not cleared immediately. Plans include road blockades, indefinite sit-ins at government offices, and even boycotting future tenders, which could stall vital public infrastructure projects in Odisha.

Political Storm Over Contractors’ Crisis

The agitation has triggered political ripples in Odisha. The Opposition accused the BJP-led government of financial mismanagement, citing unrest not only among contractors but also among suppliers and departmental staff due to pending payments. The ruling BJP, however, blamed administrative delays, while assuring that steps were being taken to clear dues at the earliest.

Government Under Pressure for Quick Fix

With growing anger on the streets, officials hinted at a special clearance mechanism to speed up the release of pending payments and improve fund flow in the Works Department. Still, the contractors remain unconvinced, saying they will believe the government only when the money reaches their accounts.

Uncertain Road Ahead

The protest at Nirman Sadan has highlighted deeper financial bottlenecks in Odisha’s infrastructure sector. Whether the government resolves the issue with concrete action or allows it to fester will determine how far the contractors’ agitation spreads in the coming days.

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