Over 4k engineers on strike, infra works come to standstill

Bageshwar: An indefinite strike by diploma engineers in Uttarakhand entered its 16th day on Tuesday, severely affecting infrastructure works and disrupting connectivity across several regions. Over 4,000 diploma engineers are participating in the agitation, demanding the removal of pay anomalies and implementation of a Rs 4,600 grade pay for junior engineers with retrospective effect from Jan 1, 2006.

The strike has hit projects under the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), with road construction, repairs and bridge works coming to a standstill, particularly in rural and hilly areas. In Bageshwar, a bridge project worth nearly Rs 6 crore has been halted, while multiple road works remain suspended ahead of the monsoon.

Uttarakhand diploma engineers association’s Bageshwar district president Nand Kishore Joshi said, “All 96 diploma engineers in the district were on strike. Without junior engineers, measurement, quality checks and bill approvals have stopped. The govt must act soon.”

The impact has extended beyond govt departments, with contractors and labourers facing financial strain due to stalled projects and delayed payments. “Suppliers and labourers are demanding payments. Even dues expected in March have not been cleared,” said local contractor Harish Chaube.

Officials acknowledged delays in key timelines. PMGSY Kapkot executive engineer Ambrish Rawat said, “Work on roads, including the Kapkot-Pothing stretch, had been scheduled ahead of the monsoon. All processes are stalled due to the strike. Work can resume only after engineers return.”

In Almora, around 271 diploma engineers have joined the agitation, affecting road repair works ahead of the tourist season. Association district president GS Mehra said talks with the government had not yielded a breakthrough. “The strike will continue until our demands are met,” he said.

The agitation has also impacted preparations for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra and major infrastructure projects, including the Jamrani and Song dams, as well as sewer and road works under various state and district schemes.