Parliament Question: Ensuring Quality, Safety and Accountability in Public Construction Works

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3406 TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 12, 2026 ENSURING QUALITY, SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION WORKS NO. 3406. SHRI PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA: Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) the measures taken by the Central Public Works Department in coordination with State Governments and other Central agencies to ensure quality assurance of each public construction work where public funds are utilized as on date; (b) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the quality- focused public works legislation as enacted in Japan and if so, the details thereof; and (c) whether the Government is aware that in the absence of a specific statutory framework on construction quality, several public works have deteriorated or become unsafe within a short period and if so, the details thereof along with the corrective actions proposed to be taken in this regard? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU) (a) To ensure Quality Assurance in public works, the Central Public Works Department follows its Works Manual and Standard Operating Procedures, Specifications, Quality Assurance Manual etc. The CPWD also regularly updates these documents. All these publications are available on the CPWD website free of cost and are referred by the State Governments and other Central/State agencies for ensuring quality in public construction works. (b): No. …2/--2- (c): The quality of Public Works is ensured and guided by the provisions of General Financial Rules (GFR), Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) Guidelines, CPWD Manual and Standard Operating Procedures of the CPWD. *****