The public works department in Bengal is pushing hard a departmental restructuring process, which could cost up to Rs 250 crore, amid questions on whether it is necessary at a time the finance department has put all major projects on hold as a part of its austerity drive in the backdrop of Covid-19.

“The department is working to complete the restructuring process by June 30. But the question is whether the huge amount was required to be spent particularly when major projects have come to a halt, which would reduce the workload of the PWD for an indefinite period,” said a senior Nabanna official.

Under the restructuring process, the PWD is set to create a new zone — central zone — in addition to four existing zones across the state.

Besides, the department is set to create more than 400 posts, including those of chief engineers, superintending engineers and executive engineers.

“Setting up of offices of these senior officers would require an expenditure of more than Rs 200 crore. Moreover, there would be a recurring expenditure of Rs 50 crore annually to give salaries to new recruits and maintain their offices,” said an official.

When the state cabinet had approved the restructuring process last year, the situation was something different. The government had then planned to spend nearly Rs 18,000 crore on infrastructure development over a period of three years.

“But the plan did not materialise because of non-availability of funds and the Covid-19 situation. Now, the question is whether the cash-strapped state can shoulder the additional burden right now,” said a senior government official.

Sources pointed out a series of issues to term the initiative as an ill-planned one. They said the restructuring would bring no benefit to the state right at this moment.

The issues are:

⚫Several senior posts are being created for PWD (roads) as part of the restructuring. But questions were raised over the initiative as PWD officials said a number of state highways would be taken over by the Centre in the next couple of years under the Bharatmala project. If the responsibility of maintaining the state highways is reduced, sources feel positing so many senior people in the roads wing would be a wasteful investment.

⚫An existing electrical circle in Malda — which usually takes care of projects in three-four districts — is being shifted to Baguiati near Calcutta with lock, stock and barrel. But a circle in Behrampore is being sent to Malda.

“This is ill-planned. The circle in Behrampore could have been shifted to Baguiati by keeping Malda circle in its place. This could have cut down 50 per cent of the shifting expenditure,” said a source.

⚫A number of posts of senior engineers are being created in PWD’s civil section, which include bridge wing. The revamp is in question as the finance department has put on hold new constructions for an indefinite period as a part of its austerity drive. Besides, if the responsibility of maintaining roads is decreased, the need for strengthening the bridge wing cannot increase.

⚫A series of posts was being crated in the designing wing. It has raised eyebrows as the PWD always engages private agencies whenever a major project is undertaken.

A section of the officials said the top brass of the government might look into the necessity of implementing the process right at this moment as it involved a handsome amount and the PWD had less responsibilities.

“The matter has been brought to the notice of the top brass. It is being examined,” said a senior bureaucrat.