In a bid to improve urban planning and maintain road quality, Odisha’s PWD on Tuesday has announced that no department can dig roads without formal permission or on their own discretion. Officials must now adhere to strict Standard Operating Procedures for all construction and repair works.

According to reports, Officials who intend to carry out roadworks must seek approval from the PWD and strictly follow the department’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during construction or repair work. SOPs have been issued to all relevant departments, including water supply, energy, and other essential services, to ensure coordinated and safe execution.

Focus on Quality and Utility Planning

The move aims to prevent the deterioration of road quality, which was often compromised when roads were digged without proper oversight. Additionally, plans are underway to implement common utility corridors in residential areas. 

“That arbitrary practice of anyone digging up roads wherever they pleased, which caused us and the people inconvenience, will be completely stopped in the coming days. Whatever work is done will be under the department’s control, and they will construct quality roads. We are going to implement this. In this regard, we have introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). It mandates that any department, including the Public Works Department, that digs up a road anywhere, must obtain permission. It also specifies the standard to which the road must be rebuilt. A complete SOP detailing this has been provided to all other user departments, including the Water Supply Department and the Energy Department. We are going to strictly enforce this,” said Public Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan.

These corridors will consolidate pipelines, electricity lines, and telephone cables into a single organized path, reducing road damage and facilitating easier maintenance. The new system is expected to improve both the longevity of infrastructure and convenience for residents.

Odisha Works Minister emphasized that this structured approach will replace the earlier practice where roads were opened at will, ensuring better coordination among departments and sustainable urban planning.