Hemant Ostwal alleges irregularities in tender process, incomplete works, and poor quality construction; demands independent probe into 41 sanctioned roads
Published on: March 23, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
A major controversy has surfaced in Rajnandgaon over the execution of a multi-crore road asphalting project, as former councillor Hemant Ostwal has formally raised concerns regarding alleged irregularities, delays, and lack of transparency in the works undertaken by the Municipal Corporation.
In a written complaint addressed to District Collector Jitendra Yadav, Ostwal has sought immediate intervention and a thorough investigation into the implementation of the project, which was sanctioned under government order number 4604/2024-25 dated September 3, 2024.
According to Ostwal, a total of ₹10.04 crore was approved for the asphalting of 41 roads across the city, aimed at improving urban mobility and easing traffic conditions. However, despite the substantial financial allocation, several roads either remain incomplete or have not seen any work at all.
He alleged that the tendering process was marred by violations of established norms, leading to corruption and poor-quality construction work, allegedly carried out under the protection of certain officials within the Municipal Corporation.
“The summer season has already begun, and this is the most suitable time for road construction. However, the pace of work has been extremely slow, raising serious doubts about administrative intent and efficiency,” Ostwal stated in his letter.
Highlighting a specific case, he cited the Gauravpath Road project, for which approximately ₹1.18 crore had been sanctioned. He questioned the actual progress on the ground and the utilization of funds, suggesting a mismatch between expenditure and visible work.
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Ostwal has demanded that a senior अधिकारी from the Public Works Department, preferably an Executive Engineer, be assigned to conduct an impartial investigation. He further insisted that a detailed report be prepared outlining how many of the 41 approved roads have been completed and how many are still pending.
He also referred to recent directives issued by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who has emphasized strict action against officials involved in substandard construction and procedural violations. Ostwal argued that similar seriousness must be reflected at the district level to ensure accountability.
Adding to the concerns, he pointed out that the Municipal Corporation is reportedly planning to reissue tenders for 14 roads, even as many existing roads in the city have deteriorated significantly. He warned that failure to complete the work before the onset of the monsoon could lead to severe inconvenience for residents.
In his appeal, Ostwal urged the Collector to personally inspect various urban and rural wards to assess the ground reality and ensure that quality construction work is carried out within stipulated timelines.
Political Reactions Intensify
The issue has also triggered renewed political debate in the city. Local political observers note that concerns related to municipal functioning have frequently been raised by individuals actively tracking civic issues.
Among such voices, Hemant Jaiswal is often cited for consistently questioning municipal operations with documented evidence. However, analysts point out that opposition parties, particularly the Congress, have not effectively capitalized on these issues at the political level.
Internal discussions within the party reportedly indicate that many leaders remain confined to their individual political spheres, limiting the collective impact on broader public issues. Political experts believe that a more unified approach could have strengthened the opposition’s position in previous elections.
With civic infrastructure once again under the spotlight, the controversy surrounding the road asphalting project is expected to further heat up the local political climate in the coming days.
