A newly constructed road worth ₹1.40 crore in Bilaspur has come under controversy after the surface reportedly started peeling off within days of construction. The incident was reported from Masturi block, where villagers alleged that poor-quality materials were used during the construction of the one-kilometre road connecting Amakoni village to Bahtara.

Videos recorded by local residents and public representatives showing the road’s bitumen layer coming off by hand have gone viral on social media, raising serious questions over the quality of work and monitoring by the concerned department. According to villagers, the road construction work began on January 15 under a contract awarded by the Public Works Department (PWD) to contractor Atul Shukla. Residents alleged that instead of using murum as the base material, ordinary soil was laid beneath the road surface, making the structure weak even before completion.

Villagers Raise Objections

Local residents claimed that the newly built road started deteriorating almost immediately after the top layer was laid. In several places, gravel and bitumen reportedly began separating from the surface under minor pressure.

Villagers said the condition of the road clearly indicated poor construction standards and negligence during execution. They alleged that despite the project involving a large public fund, basic quality norms were ignored. The viral videos showed people removing portions of the road surface by hand, further intensifying public anger over the issue.

Allegations Against Contractor

District Panchayat representative Radha Khilawan Patel accused the contractor and officials of serious irregularities in the construction process. According to the allegations, substandard material was used in the road project with the alleged involvement of officials responsible for supervision and quality checks.

Patel claimed the road was not even fully completed when signs of damage started appearing across multiple sections. Local representatives argued that if the condition of the road has deteriorated before the arrival of monsoon, the structure may not survive heavy rainfall.

Questions Over Quality Standards

Residents alleged that the prescribed engineering standards for road construction were not followed properly. They claimed that murum, which is generally used as a strong base layer in rural road construction, was replaced with ordinary soil in several stretches.

Experts say the use of unsuitable base material can significantly weaken road durability, particularly during rainy seasons when water absorption damages the foundation. Locals fear the road could collapse or sink during the first heavy rainfall if immediate repairs and technical evaluation are not conducted.

Public Representatives Visit Site

After the issue gained attention, several local public representatives visited the construction site to inspect the road condition. Janpad members, local BJP leaders, panchayat representatives and village officials reportedly examined the damaged sections and expressed concern over the visible deterioration.

Representatives demanded a technical quality inspection of the entire project and questioned how the road passed departmental monitoring despite apparent defects. The leaders also visited the Collector’s office and submitted a written complaint seeking immediate intervention in the matter.

Complaint Submitted To Collector

Villagers and public representatives have filed a complaint with Bilaspur Collector Sanjay Agrawal demanding an impartial investigation into the road construction project. The complaint alleged misuse of government funds and negligence in supervision by the construction agency and related officials.

Residents demanded strict action against those found responsible for poor-quality work and urged authorities to reconstruct the road using proper materials and approved standards. People in the area said repeated complaints regarding development works often remain ignored until such incidents become public through videos and protests.

Threat Of Protest

Local representatives warned that villagers may launch protests and road blockades if corrective action is not taken soon. Masturi Janpad member representative Menka Sumit Jagat said poor-quality construction would not be accepted under any circumstances.

She demanded a full technical audit of the project and reconstruction of the damaged road to ensure public safety and proper utilisation of government funds. Villagers said the issue reflects a larger concern regarding transparency and accountability in rural infrastructure projects.

Department Under Pressure

The controversy has intensified pressure on the Public Works Department and district administration to respond quickly. Officials have yet to issue a detailed public statement regarding the allegations, but sources indicated that an inspection of the road may be conducted soon. The incident has also triggered discussions on the monitoring system used for public infrastructure projects funded through government schemes. Experts noted that poor-quality road construction not only wastes public money but also creates long-term safety and connectivity issues for rural communities.

Public Concern Growing

The road controversy has become a major Public Interest Story in Chhattisgarh, with residents demanding stricter monitoring of construction work in villages and semi-rural regions. Local citizens said taxpayers’ money should be used responsibly and infrastructure projects must follow quality guidelines without compromise. The viral videos have further increased scrutiny of development works being carried out in rural areas under government-funded schemes. As pressure mounts on authorities, villagers are now waiting for administrative action and a formal investigation into the alleged irregularities in the ₹1.40 crore road project in Bilaspur.

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