Naxal threat deterrent: Contractors reluctant to work in Chhattisgarh’s conflict zones, govt says

RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh government has informed the High Court that contractors are least interested in undertaking construction work in the highly Naxal-affected districts of Bijapur, Sukma, and Narayanpur. In a personal affidavit submitted to the High Court, the Bijapur Collector stated that these districts are heavily affected by Naxal activities, deterring contractors from participating in any construction. The affidavit was filed in response to a previous High Court order regarding the construction of a bridge over the Chintavagu river in Bijapur.
The state government, in its submission, informed the court that it had decided on April 1, 2025, to execute sanctioned construction work through the "Zila Nirman Samiti" in light of this reluctance. The Samiti is authorized to carry out works up to Rs 10 crore in the district.
The High Court, hearing a Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation, had directed the Bijapur Collector on March 10, 2025, to file a personal affidavit detailing the response to the third call for tenders (Notice Inviting Tender - NIT).
The Bijapur Collector's affidavit acknowledged the necessity of a bridge over the Chintavagu river and stated that a request was made to the Public Works Department (PWD). Administrative approval of Rs 787.66 lakh for the bridge construction on the Gorella-Minnur route was granted on October 18, 2024. The proposal was included in the 2024-25 budget.
The Chief Engineer, PWD, Bridge Zone, accorded administrative approval for the work on October 24, 2024, the Collector submitted.
NITs were subsequently issued on November 22 and December 27, 2024, and February 28, 2025, but no contractors came forward.
A fourth call for tenders was issued on March 28, 2025, and one contractor submitted a bid. The technical bid is yet to be opened.
The District Collector informed the court that if the fourth call is unsuccessful, the bridge construction will be undertaken by the Zila Nirman Samiti, as per the order dated April 1, 2025.
Advocate General Prafull N. Bharat told the Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Arvind Kumar Verma during a recent hearing that the third round of the tender process was completed without any bidders, and the fourth call was issued on March 28, 2025. If there are no participants this time, the Zila Nirman Samiti will initiate the bridge construction, he said.