In a development that has triggered deep unease within technical circles, engineers of the Madhya Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) have failed to recall even the most basic standard codes of construction, three months after being directed to prepare for an internal evaluation.
The lapse has raised sharp questions about profe-ssional competence at a time when the State is pushing ahead with mega infrastructure projects worth thousands of crores.
The directive for an assessment was issued in the aftermath of the infamous ‘90-degree bridge’ in Bhopal—a glaring design blunder that quickly became a symbol of systemic negligence.
A similar structure in Indore only deepened the embarrassment. The revelations forced PWD Minister Rakesh Singh to announce that engineers would no longer be entrusted with major projects unless they passed an internal valuation examination based squarely on technical standards.
The intent was clear- engineers must be well-versed in the codes of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC). These codes are globally recognised benchmarks, designed to ensure safety, quality and durability in public works.
But despite months of preparation time, engineers have stumbled at the most basic level.
Informal checks by senior officials revealed that many could not recall critical codes and continued to rely on contractors or shortcuts instead of established engineering principles.
Chief Engineer Anil Kumar Suryavanshi confirmed that around 1,500 engineers were asked to prepare for a written test, which is now imminent.
“The examination will cover all mandatory codes related to roads, bridges and building construction. It is not enough to simply know them—they must be applied on the ground. Failure to do so compromises public safety and wastes taxpayer money,” he said.
The engineers were originally asked to prepare by August 15. Yet, even after three months, readiness levels remain poor, prompting the department to consider fixing accountability.
Senior officials have hinted that the results will influence future postings, project responsibilities, and possibly career advancement.
Experts say the situation is alarming. “Codes are not academic references; they are the backbone of safe construction. If engineers cannot recall or apply them, it exposes the entire system to collapse,” said a senior structural consultant.
With Madhya Pradesh aggressively expanding its road and bridge network, the stakes are high.
The upcoming examination will serve as more than a technical test—it will be a reputational trial for the PWD.
Its outcome will decide whether public confidence in the State’s engineering apparatus can be restored, or whether safety lapses will continue to haunt its infrastructure drive.