Chandigarh, November 21, 2025: A routine surprise inspection by the CM Flying Squad in Bhikhi on Monday resulted in disciplinary action against two engineering officials after substandard construction was detected on a rural road project.
The team inspected the Makha Chahal Special Connection Road and reported visible cracks on the surface, use of inferior material and non-compliance with technical norms. Junior Engineer Gurpreet Singh, who was overseeing the project, was suspended immediately. SDO Chamkaur Singh has been issued a notice, and his pending assignments have been withdrawn.
The inspections are part of the state’s ongoing drive to monitor the ₹4,150-crore programme aimed at repairing and upgrading nearly 19,500 km of rural link roads. Under this system, contractors must also maintain the roads for five years after completion, a provision officials say is designed to ensure accountability.
Sources in the department said several earlier inspections had highlighted gaps between the quality expected on paper and the work delivered on the ground. The Bhikhi check, they said, is likely to intensify scrutiny across other districts, with the government prepared to seek recoveries and initiate blacklisting where warranted.
