2026:CGHC:8769-DB NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR Digitally signed by BABLU BABLU RAJENDRA RAJENDRA BHANARKAR BHANARKARDate:

2026.02.19 17:11:38 +0530 WPPIL No. 10 of 2026 Narendra Kumar Sahu S/o Shri Ishwar Sahu Aged About 41 Years R/o Baskar, Post- Badsara, Tahsil- Bhaiyathan, District- Surajpur (C.G.)

... Petitioner(s)

versus

1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through The Additional Secretary, Public Works Department, Mahanadi Bhawan, Mantralaya, Ata Nagar, Nawa Raipur, District- Raipur, (C.G.)

2 - The Chief Secretary Government Of Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi Bhawan, Mantralaya, Atal Nagar, Nawa Raipur, District- Raipur (C.G.)

3 - The Engineer-In-Chief Public Works Department, Atal Nagar, Nawa Raipur, District- Raipur (C.G.)

4 - The Collector Surajpur, District- Surajpur (C.G.)

5 - The Executive Engineer Public Works Department, Bridge Construction Division, Bahupura, Jail Road, Ambikapur, District- Surguja (C.G.)

6 - M/s Agrico Steel Engineering Works “A” Class Contractor, Near Railway Station, Vishrampur, District - Surajpur (C.G.) Through Its Authorised Signatory.

... Respondent(s)

For Petitioner(s) : Narendra Kumar Sahu in person For Respondent(s) : Mr.Vivek Sharma, Advocate General with Mr.Priyank Rathi, Government Advocate Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Hon'ble Shri Ravindra Kumar Agrawal , Judge

Order on Board

Per Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice

19.02.2026

1. Heard Narendra Kumar Sahu in person as well as Mr.Vivek Sharma, learned Advocate General with Mr.Priyank Rathi, learned Government Advocate appearing for the respondents/State.

2. By way of this writ petition (PIL), the petitioner has prayed for following reliefs:-

“10.1 That this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to issue an appropriate writ, thereby directing the respondent authorities for construction of High Level Bridge i.e. approach Road across Mahan River on Lanjit To Soubar Road as per work order was issued in favour of respondent no. 6 on 13.01.2026. 10.2 That, any other relief/order which may deem fit and just in the facts and circumstances of the case including award of the costs of the petition may be given.”

3. Facts of the case are that the villagers of Souhar and other nearby villages are facing great difficulties in carrying out their daily activities due to the lack of proper connectivity. Therefore, several requests and representations were made to the Government authorities for the construction of a bridge over the Mahan River. On the basis of the requests made by the affected villagers, Respondent No. 1 approved the construction of a High-Level Bridge, i.e., an approach road across the Mahan River on the Lanjit to Soubar Road, for which an amount of Rs. 732.53 lakhs has been sanctioned. The said bridge was proposed to be constructed bypassing Village Souhar, for which a No Objection Certificate (NOC) was granted by the villagers in the Gram Sabha meeting held on 28.11.2024.

4. Pursuant to the said approval, Respondent No. 2 issued Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) No. 177879 dated 08.12.2025, inviting tenders from eligible contractors for the construction of the High- Level Bridge, i.e., the approach road across the Mahan River on the Lanjit to Soubar Road. In response to the aforesaid NIT, Respondent No. 6, along with other eligible contractors, submitted its tender. After following due process, the tender of Respondent No. 6 was declared L-1 (lowest bidder), and accordingly, the contract was awarded in its favour. Vide order dated 29.12.2025, Respondent No. 1 directed Respondent No. 5 to complete the necessary formalities for execution of the High-Level Bridge in accordance with the prescribed norms and standards. Thereafter, an agreement was executed between Respondents No. 5 and 6, and a work order dated 13.01.2026 was issued in favour of Respondent No. 6 for completion of the construction work within a stipulated period of 14 months from the reckoned date. A copy of the order dated 13.01.2026 has been annexed as Annexure P-3. Despite completion of al