3 weeks Ago By Nisha Nambiar
Pune: The state public works department (PWD) is seeking Rs10,000 crore to clear pending contractor dues, aiming to expedite infrastructure works on road repairs and bridges ahead of the monsoon season this year. The department hopes to ensure that work progresses at an optimal speed before the rains begin. While state govt has allocated Rs19,000 crore in this years' budget to the department, officials have requested at least 30% (Rs5,700 crore) disbursement by late April or early May for immediate payments to contractors, PWD officials told TOI on Friday.
Earlier this year, contractors had gone on strike, halting works across the state's 1 lakh sq km network of public works. They claimed that various govt departments withheld payments exceeding Rs25,000 crore since July 2024. Officials confirmed that despite some payments made by March-end this year, Rs10,000 crore remains outstanding in dues, mostly for road and bridge projects.
"The amount is allocated to the department, but we need the advance to clear dues so that pending works can be completed," a senior official said. The request has been submitted to the state finance department. The PWD recently acknowledged that excessive sanctioning of projects over the approved budget is causing delays in bill payments, resulting in cost escalation and affecting work quality.
The department has issued fresh guidelines to limit new works. "It is necessary to formulate a specific policy regarding newly sanctioned works and limit their number," the guidelines stated, adding, "Works costing more than the budget received have been sanctioned, making it impossible for govt to pay all bills from the available budget. Without timely funding, project costs increase substantially, resulting in poor quality.
" The guidelines emphasise prioritising high-traffic roads that require urgent improvement, subject to the Road Development Scheme. Executive engineers must prepare detailed project reports considering need, feasibility, funding availability, land acquisition, and necessary permits. To prevent cost overruns, the guidelines prohibit dividing projects into smaller segments, submitting artificially low initial costs, and executing duplicate works.
They require certification from executive and superintendent Engineers confirming no duplication. During a recent review meeting for the Pune division, public works minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale stressed that roadworks connecting industrial areas, airports, ports, and tourist destinations should be prioritised to boost economic growth. He noted the govt's efforts to attract investment and directed officials to undertake new road projects strategically with regular quality monitoring.
The department is also pushing for the Shirur-Khed-Karjat-Panvel road, which aims to reduce traffic congestion in Pune city as well as on Shikrapur, Chakan, and Talegaon roads..
