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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