Centre finds 88 of 130 PMGSY road works in Darjeeling constituency unsatisfactory

Amitava Banerjee, MP, July 18, 2026, Darjeeling : The Union Rural Development Ministry has found serious quality deficiencies in a majority of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) road projects inspected in the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency, following a request by Darjeeling MP Raju Bista.

The inspection report found 88 works to be "Unsatisfactory", eight as "Satisfactory Requiring Improvement" (SRI) and only 34 as "Satisfactory". The inspections were completed by May 2026.

According to an official communication from Union Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, inspections were carried out by teams of National Quality Monitors (NQMs) of the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA).

The inspections covered 130 road works, including projects under construction, completed roads and those under the maintenance period.

In his letter dated July 13, 2026, Chouhan informed Bista that based on the findings, the West Bengal government has been directed to take corrective action on a priority basis and submit a compliance report to the Ministry.

A separate communication from the Ministry's Rural Connectivity Division has also instructed the State Rural Roads Development Agency to act on the inspection findings.

Among the road projects graded "Unsatisfactory" are Sonada to Munda Khote Payun Goan in Jorebunglow-Sukhiapokhri Block; Bara Hatta to Chhota Hatta in Darjeeling-Pulbazar Block; 4th Mile-Chamong Majwa via Dewkota Primary School; Pokhribong to Thakuri Gaon; Bijanbari to Rai Gaon via Ghujel Gaon; Long View to Ramitay in Kurseong; Lava to Kelbong; Kuwapani-Badhcy; Sukna to Mohorgaon Tea Garden; Phansidewa Road to Fairanjote and Atal Tea Estate to Howdavita via Sastugachh in Naxalbari.

Reacting to the findings, Bista described the report as a "damning revelation" exposing alleged large-scale corruption and misuse of public funds in PMGSY implementation under the Trinamool Congress government.

He alleged that crores of rupees meant for rural road construction had been siphoned off through substandard work, fake bills and a contractor-politician nexus, leaving behind roads that failed to meet prescribed quality standards.

"I thank Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for ordering the inspections. The Ministry's decision to direct the State government to initiate corrective measures is a step towards ensuring accountability," stated Bista.

He also asserted that transparency in the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes would remain a priority.

Courtesy & source- Millennium Post