At most locations, only soil, gravel, and stone layers were laid. These temporary stretches, built years ago, have largely worn out. Contractors halted further construction citing “security threats” in Naxal-affected areas.
However, with the rapid decline of Naxal activity in Bastar in recent years, the administration has issued a strict warning to contractors: the Naxal threat can no longer be used as an excuse. Officials have given them a three-day ultimatum to begin tarring the roads. Where the base layer needs to be rebuilt, the work must restart from scratch.
The administration has emphasized that visible progress on all Phase-1 roads must begin within three days. Contractors have also been told that the original approved budget must be used—no cost revisions will be allowed.
If contractors still fail to resume work, their contracts will be canceled, and the roads will be retendered under Phase-4. Authorities have warned that tenders will be terminated if the three-day deadline is not met.
Officials say that while Phase 2 and Phase 3 have been completed and the district has already moved on to Phase 4, several Phase-1 contractors are still delaying work by invoking Naxal fears. They insist that Bastar’s situation has changed, and such excuses are no longer acceptable. The incomplete roads have left many villages disconnected from main routes.
Some contractors have failed to complete construction even in 10 years. The administration has decided that any contractor who does not show progress from Monday will have their road shifted to Phase-4 and re-tendered.
