Kumar Bahukhandi
A heavy road roller compacts freshly laid bituminous material as workers carry out road repairs in Ambikapur following directions from Deputy Chief Minister and Public Works Minister Arun Sao. The maintenance drive aims to restore damaged road surfaces and improve commuting conditions.Photo:channel24india.com via CG/DPR
Following Deputy Chief Minister’s directions, damaged stretches of roads covering 150 kilometres to be repaired across Ambikapur division, with completion targeted by December 2026
Key Highlights
- Deputy Chief Minister and Public Works Minister Arun Sao directs officials to accelerate road repairs and eliminate potholes in Ambikapur.
- Public Works Department begins bituminous patch repairs between Mahamaya Chowk and Larang Sai Chowk.
- ₹3 crore sanctioned under the annual maintenance allocation for the financial year 2026–27.
- Maintenance works covering 150 kilometres of roads across Ambikapur PWD division to be undertaken.
- December 2026 set as the target for completing all identified repair works.
- Initiative aims to improve road safety, reduce inconvenience to commuters and ensure smoother traffic movement.
PWD Swings into Action Following Arun Sao’s Directions
Raipur: Road repair operations have gathered momentum in Ambikapur following directions issued by Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister and Public Works Minister Arun Sao, who has instructed the Public Works Department (PWD) to undertake immediate measures to improve damaged roads and ensure safer movement for motorists and pedestrians. Acting on his instructions during a recent visit to the Surguja region, the department has begun bituminous patch repairs on damaged stretches between Mahamaya Chowk and Larang Sai Chowk, marking the beginning of an accelerated maintenance drive aimed at addressing deteriorating road conditions.
The initiative forms part of a wider road maintenance programme for which the department has received an allocation of ₹3 crore during the financial year 2026–27.
According to the department, the sanctioned amount will be utilised to undertake maintenance works covering a total of 150 kilometres of roads under the Ambikapur division.
Public Works Department workers operate road construction machinery and carry out bituminous patch repairs on damaged stretches in Ambikapur. The work forms part of the ₹3 crore maintenance programme covering 150 kilometres of roads across the division.Photo:channel24india.com via CG/DPR
Officials have been directed to complete the identified works by December 2026, with particular emphasis on repairing potholes and restoring damaged road surfaces that have been causing inconvenience to road users.
Deputy Chief Minister Calls for Immediate Action on Damaged Roads
During his visit to Surguja, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao reviewed departmental activities and expressed concern over the condition of roads requiring urgent maintenance.
He instructed PWD officials to prioritise pothole repairs and accelerate maintenance operations so that residents could travel safely and without unnecessary difficulty.
The Deputy Chief Minister emphasised that road maintenance must receive timely attention because damaged surfaces can disrupt traffic movement and create avoidable risks for motorists.
He also directed officials to improve the overall condition of roads and ensure that maintenance activities were undertaken without unnecessary delays.
Following these directions, the Public Works Department initiated repair works on a priority basis.
The ongoing operations in Ambikapur reflect the department’s efforts to translate the minister’s instructions into visible improvements on the ground.
Mahamaya Chowk–Larang Sai Chowk Stretch Taken Up for Repairs
The department has commenced bituminous patch repair work along the road connecting Mahamaya Chowk and Larang Sai Chowk, where damaged sections are being restored.
The work involves addressing deteriorated road surfaces and potholes to improve driving conditions and reduce inconvenience to commuters.
Road resurfacing work progresses near the office of the Superintendent of Police in Ambikapur, with heavy machinery compacting the newly laid bituminous surface. The PWD has targeted December 2026 for completing the sanctioned road maintenance works.Photo: channel24india.com via CG /DPR
The photographs released with the departmental information show workers engaged in road resurfacing operations, with heavy road rollers being used to compact freshly laid bituminous material.
Traffic cones have also been placed around the work areas to separate ongoing maintenance operations from moving vehicles.
The repair work is intended to restore the usability of damaged stretches and provide a smoother surface for road users.
The Mahamaya Chowk–Larang Sai Chowk road is among the stretches receiving immediate attention under the department’s accelerated maintenance programme.
₹3 Crore Sanctioned for Maintenance Across 150 Kilometres
The Public Works Department has received approval for ₹3 crore under the annual road maintenance head for 2026–27.
The allocation will support maintenance activities covering 150 kilometres of roads within the Ambikapur division.
The programme is intended to address damaged sections across different roads rather than reconstruct the entire 150-kilometre network.
This distinction is important because the approved works focus on restoring road surfaces and repairing damaged portions wherever maintenance is required.
The department has set December 2026 as the deadline for completing the identified works.
Officials are working towards meeting the prescribed timeline while carrying out repairs on a priority basis.
Road Safety and Public Convenience Receive Priority
Damaged roads and potholes can create significant difficulties for daily commuters, particularly two-wheeler riders, school transport vehicles, public transport operators and emergency services.
Uneven surfaces may also contribute to traffic congestion, vehicle damage and unsafe driving conditions.
The ongoing maintenance drive seeks to reduce these problems by restoring damaged portions of roads and improving surface conditions.
For residents of Ambikapur, timely completion of the works could provide relief from the difficulties associated with potholes and deteriorating road surfaces.
Improved road conditions can also help reduce unnecessary delays and facilitate smoother movement of commercial and passenger vehicles.
The department’s emphasis on completing the works within a defined timeframe is particularly relevant to ensuring that the benefits of the sanctioned maintenance programme reach road users without prolonged delays.
Quality of Repairs and Timely Completion Remain Crucial
While the commencement of road repairs represents an important step, the durability of the completed work will determine the long-term effectiveness of the maintenance programme.
Bituminous patch repairs require proper preparation of damaged surfaces, suitable materials and adequate compaction to withstand regular traffic.
Careful supervision during execution can help ensure that repaired stretches remain serviceable and do not deteriorate prematurely.
Maintaining appropriate traffic safety arrangements around active work sites is equally important, particularly where repair operations are being carried out alongside moving vehicles.
The photographs of the ongoing work indicate that traffic cones are being used to identify the work zones.
Continued monitoring of work quality and progress will be essential if the department is to achieve its December completion target.
Arun Sao’s Instructions Put Focus on Road Maintenance
The accelerated repair programme in Ambikapur reflects Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao’s emphasis on improving road conditions and ensuring that the department responds promptly to maintenance requirements.
The instructions issued during his Surguja visit have resulted in the commencement of repair operations on the Mahamaya Chowk–Larang Sai Chowk stretch.
Other sanctioned maintenance works are also to be undertaken within the prescribed timeframe.
The initiative demonstrates the importance of regular departmental reviews and timely administrative action in addressing infrastructure-related public concerns.
However, sustained improvements will depend on effective execution, quality control and completion of the identified works.
December Deadline Sets the Test for PWD
With ₹3 crore sanctioned and maintenance works covering 150 kilometres scheduled for completion by December 2026, the Public Works Department now faces the task of delivering measurable improvements within the announced period.
The ongoing work in Ambikapur is an initial step towards restoring damaged road surfaces and improving commuting conditions.
For the public, the most meaningful outcome will be safer roads, fewer potholes and a noticeable improvement in daily travel.
The success of the initiative will ultimately be measured not merely by the speed at which repair operations begin, but by the quality, durability and timely completion of the work undertaken under Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao’s directions.
