L.K. Padhi, Engineer-in-Chief and Special Secretary of the Works (Roads & Buildings) Department, Government of Odisha, has been elected as the Vice President of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) — the apex professional body of highway engineers in India.

The announcement was made during the 236th Council Meeting, held as part of the 84th Annual Session of the IRC.

J. Mohan Naik Elected IRC President

At the same session, J. Mohan Naik, Engineer-in-Chief of the Roads & Buildings Department, Government of Telangana, was elected as the President of the IRC. The newly elected office bearers were announced in the presence of senior engineers, technocrats, and policymakers from across the country.

Recognition of Professional Excellence

Padhi’s election as vice president is seen as a recognition of his exemplary leadership and professional excellence in the field of road infrastructure planning and execution. He has played a key role in implementing major road development projects in Odisha and promoting innovative practices in engineering design and project management.

Colleagues in the engineering fraternity have lauded his dedication to sustainable and quality infrastructure development, particularly in challenging terrains and rural connectivity projects.

Odisha Engineering Service Association Hails Achievement

The Odisha Engineering Service Association (OESA) extended its congratulations to Padhi, describing his elevation as a proud moment for the state’s engineering community. The association expressed confidence that his leadership will further strengthen the IRC’s mission of upholding the highest standards in road planning, construction, and maintenance across India.

“His vision and experience will help the IRC in framing modern, sustainable, and inclusive policies for India’s expanding road network,” an OESA statement said.

About the Indian Roads Congress

Established in 1934, the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) serves as the premier technical body of highway professionals in India. It formulates standards, guidelines, and best practices for road design, construction, and maintenance, contributing significantly to the country’s transport infrastructure and safety initiatives.

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Bhubaneswar: The tragic collapse of a girder at the under-construction Khannagar bridge in Cuttack has claimed three lives, sending shockwaves across Odisha. The incident has exposed glaring deficiencies in execution, monitoring, and contractor accountability in public infrastructure projects.

Questionable Contractor: RKD Constructions Under Fire

At the center of the storm is RKD Constructions Pvt Ltd, the same firm previously held responsible for faulty bridge construction over the Udanti river in Nuapada. Despite this track record, RKD was awarded another high-risk urban project.

Experts are now raising red flags about the contractor selection process, questioning transparency and alleging favoritism under the previous government.

PMC and Authority Engineer: Silent Spectators?

The Project Management Consultant (PMC) and authority engineer, M/s Chaitanya, are also under the scanner. Coordination failures and lack of basic operational oversight have been cited as major contributors to the disaster.

Unanswered questions include:

• Did the girder fail during lifting or after falling?

• Was the crane operated in automation mode?

• Was the operator distracted—possibly using a mobile phone?

The PMC’s poor risk assessment and weak supervision have come under sharp criticism.

Probe or Whitewash?

The state government’s fact-finding team is facing credibility issues. Engineers and civil society observers claim the probe lacks technical neutrality and transparency. Instead of uncovering root causes, the team appears focused on damage control, shielding the contractor and consultant.

Scapegoating the Innocent, Shielding the Guilty

In a move many call unjust, a Senior Engineer posted just three months ago to the Cuttack division has been transferred and made a scapegoat. Meanwhile, senior officials like Chief Construction Engineer Trinath Behera, who oversaw the project, face no action.

Even the Works Department Secretary and Minister, whose roles are crucial in monitoring high-stakes infrastructure, remain silent.

A Tale of Double Standards

In 2021, ARSS Infrastructure Projects Ltd was blacklisted after a similar crane accident in Kendrapada. But in Cuttack, RKD Constructions continues operations without penalty—raising concerns over bias and ethical lapses.

The Bigger Picture: Systemic Failure

This is not an isolated incident. The Khannagar bridge collapse highlights systemic flaws in Odisha’s infrastructure projects:

• Power unchecked in the hands of repeat-offender contractors

• Unrealistic project deadlines

• Poor safety planning and technical audits

• Lack of multi-tier accountability

Real Reform Needed, Not Cosmetic Probes

The death of three skilled laborers should trigger deep reform, not another round of symbolic scapegoating.

The Odisha government must:

• Blacklist negligent contractors

• Hold engineers, PMCs, and officials accountable

• Strengthen project safety protocols and real-time audits

Infrastructure must be built on safety and integrity, not shortcuts and cover-ups. If action isn’t taken now, public trust—and more lives—will be lost.

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Bhubaneswar: A brewing controversy is unfolding in the Odisha Works Department over the impending appointment of engineers from the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) 2003–04 batch, raising serious concerns about the future of both the Central Government’s Vikshit Bharat Mission and the Odisha Government’s Vision Odisha 2036.

Sources reveal that this batch is poised to enter key leadership positions, including Chief Engineers, through the next Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC). If the plan proceeds, these engineers could dominate decision-making in the Works Department till 2039—a prospect experts say could lead to a collapse in quality, transparency, and efficiency in state infrastructure development.

Quota-Based Recruitment, Poor Field Experience Raise Eyebrows

According to engineering insiders, the first set of these officers had entered service under quota-based recruitment, bypassing rigorous technical benchmarks. As a result, they lack critical field-level experience essential for real-time execution, supervision, and monitoring of large-scale infrastructure projects.

“These officers were never truly tested in the field. Handing over the reins of Odisha’s engineering future to them is risky. It will lead to over-reliance on private consultants and retired officials for even basic tasks like DPR preparation or tender scrutiny,” said a senior technical expert, requesting anonymity.

This move may inflate government expenditure and drain state funds, while also compromising the quality and durability of public works across Odisha.

Case in Point: Questionable Legacies and Governance Failures

1. The Case of Purna Chandra Mahapatra

A glaring example of misplaced appointments is that of Purna Chandra Mahapatra, a 5% quota recruit from the same OPSC batch. Despite his lack of field execution background, he rose to become Engineer-in-Chief (EIC) under former Works Secretary V.V. Yadav. Mahapatra was later appointed Technical Expert to the Odisha Bridge Construction Corporation (OBCC).

Insiders allege that since the arrival of the new Works Secretary Sanjay Singh, Mahapatra has gone into hiding, unable to justify his role or deliver on any impactful decision-making.

2. The Khannagar Bridge Tragedy and Trinath Behera

Another troubling example is Trinath Behera, an officer from the same batch who began his career at Division-V in Bhubaneswar and later became SE of Division-I. Accused of chronic absenteeism, corruption, and political favoritism, Behera still climbed the ladder to become Chief Construction Engineer (CCE).

However, his incompetence has come under scrutiny following the Khannagar bridge collapse in Cuttack, which led to the death of three people. The tragic event has spotlighted the grave consequences of negligence and technical inexperience in high-stakes infrastructure projects.

Mission at Risk: Vikshit Bharat and Vision Odisha 2036

The Vision Odisha 2036 initiative and the central Vikshit Bharat Mission both hinge on the rapid, high-quality delivery of roads, bridges, and public infrastructure. But appointing technically unqualified and politically protected engineers may derail this transformative agenda.

Experts warn that poor leadership could result in:

• Project delays and cost overruns

• Increased dependence on external consultants

• Dilution of transparency and accountability

• Increased structural failures and safety risks

The Road Ahead: A Call for Merit-Based Promotions

Stakeholders and watchdogs urge the Odisha Government to:

• Re-evaluate the upcoming DPC selection criteria

• Prioritize field-tested, meritorious engineers

• Establish performance audits and field capability assessments

• Strengthen accountability in postings and promotions

With the future of public infrastructure at stake, merit, not quota or political backing, should dictate appointments. The people of Odisha deserve safe, sustainable, and cost-effective development—not another chapter in bureaucratic mismanagement.

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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Engineers’ Service Association (OESA) has intensified its demand to appoint an engineer as the Secretary of the Works Department. In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the association urged the government to restore the tradition of appointing engineers to head the department, an engineering domain by nature and function.

Since 1974, engineers have been at the helm of the Works Department, steering major infrastructure development across Odisha. This tradition saw a break during the BJD government’s tenure when, in 2003-04, IAS officer Arabinda Behera was appointed as Works Secretary. After his brief stint, the post returned to engineers from 2004 to 2019. Under the leadership of Er. Subhendu Kumar Ray (2007–2013) and Er. Nalini Pradhan (2013–2019), the department achieved major milestones in road, bridge, and building projects.

Political Interference led to a Shift in 2019

In 2019, the BJD government once again disrupted the tradition by appointing IAS officer Kishan Kumar as Works Secretary. This decision was not backed by any cabinet resolution or formal policy. The aim was to keep tight political control over the department.

Projects Suffered Under Bureaucratic Leadership

Although the number of projects increased during Kishan Kumar’s tenure, the execution suffered. Projects were implemented in a scattered manner, leading to delays, inflated costs, and technical deviations. Lacking engineering expertise, the Secretary failed to motivate the department’s engineers or manage technical tasks effectively.

The department began outsourcing core responsibilities to private consultants. This shift drained hundreds of crores from the State exchequer. It also eroded in-house capabilities and accountability.

Engineer as Odisha Works Secretary

In its appeal, the OESA said engineering departments require technical vision, sound judgment, and professional oversight. “Only engineers can understand the complexities of infrastructure projects. Their education, experience, and training equip them to ensure timely, cost-effective, and sustainable outcomes,” the association noted.

The letter added that leadership by engineers fosters a culture of professionalism, innovation, and technical compliance—essential for long-term development goals.

Demand to Restore Engineer-in-Chief-cum-Secretary Post

The OESA has strongly recommended reinstating the post of Engineer-in-Chief-cum-Secretary for the Works Department. “We must bring back engineers to lead the department to uphold its professional standards and ensure Odisha’s infrastructure agenda moves in the right direction,” the letter stated.

CM Mohan Majhi’s Intervention Sought

OESA has urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to act on this long-standing issue. The association believes the restoration of an engineer as Works Secretary will strengthen project implementation, enhance accountability, and restore pride among the engineering fraternity of the State.

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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Works Department which is in charge of implementing of major infrastructure projects in the State has a huge number of vacancies in Assistant Engineer (AE) and Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) posts.

Severe Manpower Shortage Jeopardizing Infrastructure Projects

Reports said that more than 1,000 AEE and AE posts are vacant in the Works Department. Besides, three Chief Engineer posts are vacant. Personnel meant for land acquisition, forest clearance and Liaoning with other line departments have not been recruited, Due to this staff shortages consultants, retired officers and contractual staff are being utilised due to which salaries and other expenses are more than the project costs.   These vacancies have jeopardised the vision and mission of the department,

Grand Announcements Amidst Operational Dysfunction

The department authorities are announcing numerous projects worth crores of rupees. However, implementing these projects seems difficult due to the severe manpower shortage and the indifferent attitude of top officials.

Under the leadership of Secretary Vir Vikram Yadav, who was removed from two departments where he held additional charges, the Works Department has been functioning tardily, resembling a rudderless ship. Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan has been misled into believing that adopting new technology will help implement these projects to strengthen Odisha’s logistics network, boost industrial expansion, facilitate trade, and generate employment for a prosperous and self-reliant Odisha. However, top officials lack the willpower, essential skills, and technical expertise to execute these initiatives effectively.

Key Infrastructure Projects at Risk

The important projects proposed to be implemented by the department are the Atal Expressway linking Motu in Malkangiri to Tiring in Mayurbhanj, also with critical road corridors such as Jharsuguda- -Baleswar, Nuapada- Astarang, Brundabahal- Gopalpur, Brahmapur-Jeypore, Jeypore-Rourkela, and Rourkela-Jaleswar,

Another is the Comprehensive City Road Decongestion Plan worth Rs13,000 crore to ease traffic flow and improve mobility in capital city Bhubaneswar.

Besides, the government proposes to convert State Highway to 4-laner standards for better Major district roads and other district roads would be developed under the Road Development Programme (RDF)

Lack of Leadership and Administrative Negligence

However, under the present leadership of Vir Vikram Yadav, these ambitious projects are unlikely to materialize, as even basic administrative tasks like updating the department’s website have been neglected for years. The website still displays the names of officials who retired long ago.

For example, the Works Department website continues to list P.K. Samal as the Engineer-in-Chief (Civil), even though Purna Chandra Mahapatra is the current EIC Roads. Similarly, Ranjit Sahoo remains listed in the NH Wing, despite retiring nearly two years ago. Additionally, the department’s key personnel directory remains outdated. Intellectuals argue that if the Secretary cannot even ensure a simple website update, he is incapable of strengthening the state’s infrastructure.

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Bhubaneswar: Of late, some top officials of the Odisha Works Department have come under the radar of the Odisha Vigilance Directorate for the massive scams worth thousands of crores of rupees they had committed during the tenure of the previous BJD government.

Acting on the Mohan Charan Majhi government’s assurances to people of ZERO TOLERANCE to corruption, the Vigilance has pulled up its socks and brought these corrupt top mandarins under its lens. Earlier it was alleged that these dishonest officials had pocked crores of rupees as a percentage (PC) and bribes from the executing agencies to award them projects and also show leniency in delay and poor-quality work.

Corruption in Odisha Works Department

Notably, some of these corrupt officials, who were earlier posted in the field have now managed to get postings in the Nirman Soudha, the headquarters of the Odisha Works Department. These officials are alleged to have accumulated movable and immovable properties worth crores of rupees, but till now they have managed to elude the Vigilance dragnet,

It has come to light that after the government issued strict instructions to the officials to submit their property list these corrupt Babus have become panicky . The anti-graft in its probe has brought under purview the department’s random budget under which more than 80 multi-purpose halls were constructed. It is alleged crores of rupees were pocketed and the construction was done with very inferior quality materials. Corruption in Odisha Works Department.

Corrupt Officials Seek Shelter in Nirman Soudha Amid Vigilance Probe

Incumbent Chief Minister and then Leader of Opposition Mohan Charan Majhi had raised this issue in the State Assembly also. Following this some MPHs were hurriedly inaugurated. Similarly, massive corruption and irregularities worth a whopping 10,000 crores were done in the construction of roads in the State.

Due to this , the corrupt engineers who were there in the field during the earlier government , have now taken shelter in the Nirman Soudha to hide their misdeeds. However, sources said these Chief Engineers, Superintendent Engineers are now trying to show their efficiency and  act close with the present government to evade the Vigilance dragnet.

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Bhubaneswar: Of late, the Odisha Works Department has installed permanent barricades of five feet height on the stretch from the Biju Patnaik Internation Airport to the AG Square, AG Square to Raj Bhavan Square, Raj Bhavan Square to Kalinga Stadium Square on the grounds that it would aid in VVIP movement and cut the department’s costs incurred due to frequent temporary barricading during VVIP visits to the State.

Public Concerns on Safety and Convenience

But the move has triggered deep discontentment among the city residents who have blamed the department’s ‘unscientific practice’ for making if difficult for them to see the vehicles coming from the side lanes of the main roads, increasing the possibility of accidents. They have also questioned whether the department has followed the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for installation of permanent barricades in Bhubaneswar.

Besides, the tall steel barricades have shrunk the open space for commuters. The accused the Works Department for being more concerned about the VVIPs comfort then the citizens welfare and convenience.

Earlier, during the tenure of the BJD government, during the VVIP visits to the State capital Bhubaneswar, temporary barricades were constructed with bamboos which were dismantled after VVIPs visit concluded. The erection work of the barricades was awarded to private parties or contractors for which a large amount of money was spent. But with permanent barricades, it is one-time investment for the department.

Allegations of Cost Mismanagement

However, while the Works Department is claiming to cut costs by putting up permanent barricades, crores of rupees is being misutlised in the guise of repairing and beautification of the city roads during VVIP visits, neither the road quality is tested as per the guidelines, nor quality materials are being used. So, after a few days, the cold bitumen patches are coming off and the resultant potholes which resemble craters on the roads are again giving nightmares to the motorists.

Neglect of Sub-Roads

Besides, the department is only giving priority to some main roads while majority of the sub roads under Division I, II, III. IV and V are virtually in a deplorable condition making it tough and hazardous for the commuter in negotiating them.

Criticism of Oversight and Accountability

Notably, for improving the road conditions, the Roads Division was bifurcated to Road I and Road II. The Road I which is led by Chief Engineer Road-I, is responsible for construction and maintenance of the roads in Bhubaneswar. But unfortunately, he never inspects the work sites or monitors the quality of the roads due to which the divisional engineers and contractors are neither maintaining quality or using good materials in the works. This has put a question mark on the beautification drive being carried out for the prestigious NRI conference in the State capital in January 2025.

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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Works Department despite having a pool of skilled manpower has recruited many of the core sectors to third parties or contractors which has resulted in inconsistent services in different locations, less control over the quality of work, delivery timelines, reduced opportunity for its employees to learn new skills and lowered their morale.

Impact of Outsourcing on Service Quality

The outsourcing process instead of cutting costs has resulted in crores of rupees of people’s money being siphoned off in a nexus between the top mandarins and the private parties.

It might be mentioned here that the recruitment for high-level posts in the Works Department is being done through the Odisha Public Services Commission for the wings of architecture, design, procurement, buildings, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

But private consultants have been roped in for all these core sectors of the department allegedly with ulterior motives, despite the fact that the skilled personnel are paid high salaries along with TA, DA and other allowances.

The recruitment of private consultants is costing the State exchequer dearly. Crores of rupees are only spent on DPR preparation, procurement, testing of road quality, building and bridges. Works Department inefficiency.

Website and Database Maintenance Issues

However, to make matters worse, the Works Department website has not been updated for ages. Works Secretary Veer Vikram Yadav who has been in-charge of the department from August 2022 it seems is ignorant about it. Besides, the database of the employees recruited, their designation, responsibilities, the divisions they have been assigned to work is not being uploaded in the website. Information about of Engineer- in-Chief and the other senior officers and the wings they are working with are also not being provided. There is also no information about the who and who of design, road and buildings, procurement, architecture, quality monitoring wings which are core sectors.

Budget allocation for the year, annual plan maintenance, road buildings and bridges allocation have not been provided for the last five years. Information about ongoing projects is not been provided. Works Department inefficiency.

Administrative Irregularities and Poor Work Culture

Besides, the Minister and the Secretary, there is no information about other senior officers and their contact numbers etc. There is no information about the 58 work dept divisions, circle’s chief construction engineer and division ‘s superintendent engineers is not being provided for benefit of the public.   The organization given the website maintenance responsibility has totally failed, So, it is no surprise that some officers name who have superannuated two to three years ago are still mentioned!

To add to the woes, some Assistant Engineer, Assistant Executive Engineers, Executive Engineers, Superintendent Engineer in the department, Circle office have been posted for more than five to eight years. Due to this there is poor work culture, liability of division is being increased  and quality monitoring of every work is nil. Crores of rupees is being misutilised in officer-agency nexus. Deviation, escalation, false bills and manipulation has become a norm causing loss worth crores of rupees to State exchequer.

The intellectuals have demanded the State Government’s intervention to streamline the Works Department which plays a key role in the infrastructure development in the State.

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