Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh Sets 30-Day Deadline to Start Government Construction Projects
Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh has directed departments to begin physical construction within 30 days of issuing work orders, ending delays linked to Bhoomi Puja and foundation ceremonies.
Karnataka Chief Secretary Dr. Shalini Rajneesh has issued a clear deadline for government departments and implementing agencies to move construction projects from paperwork to actual work on the ground. Under the new directive, physical construction must begin within the period prescribed in the tender, contract or work order and, where no shorter timeline has been specified, within 30 days of the work order being issued.
The instruction is aimed at tackling a rather familiar problem in government project execution – works that have already cleared the tendering process and received work orders remain stuck because officials are waiting for a Bhoomi Puja, foundation-stone laying ceremony or formal inauguration. The Chief Secretary has made it clear that a ceremonial function cannot be treated as a legitimate reason to keep a sanctioned project from physically starting.
Construction Must Start Within 30 Days
The directive was issued through a circular dated August 29, 2026, following observations that some government construction projects were not moving ahead despite tenders having been finalised and work orders already being issued. In several instances, the actual commencement of work was reportedly being linked to the availability of dates for ceremonial events.
The new instructions seek to remove that bottleneck. Departments have been told that once all necessary formalities have been completed and a work order has been issued, the contractor and implementing agency must ensure that construction begins within the prescribed period rather than waiting indefinitely for a ceremony.
Where the tender, contract or work order itself specifies a timeline shorter than 30 days, that shorter period will apply. If no specific shorter deadline has been mentioned, physical work must begin within 30 days from the date of the work order.
Bhoomi Puja Cannot Hold Up Projects
One of the most notable aspects of the circular is its specific reference to ceremonial events. Bhoomi Puja, foundation-stone laying programmes and inaugurations are common features associated with the launch of public infrastructure projects, but the government has now drawn a firm line between protocol and actual project execution.
If such a ceremony is required under established protocol, officials have been advised to organise it within the 30-day period. The ceremony should not, however, become a condition for physically starting construction.
If it is not possible to organise the ceremony within the stipulated period, construction must begin first. The ceremonial function can then be held later at an appropriate stage, meaning that administrative or protocol-related arrangements should not bring the entire project to a standstill.
This is perhaps the central message of the Chief Secretary’s directive: a government project should not remain on hold simply because a ceremonial event has not yet been scheduled.
Departments Told to Prepare Before Issuing Work Orders
The circular also places emphasis on preparation before a work order is issued. Government departments have been advised to ensure, as far as possible, that the key prerequisites required for execution are already in place before the project reaches the work-order stage.
These preparations include availability of land, technical and administrative clearances, approved drawings, necessary funds and other essential requirements. The objective is straightforward – once a contractor receives the work order, there should be minimal scope for avoidable administrative hurdles to delay the start of physical work.
This approach could make a significant difference to project timelines. A work order is generally seen as the point at which a project moves from planning and tendering into execution, and any substantial gap after that stage can create complications for both the government and the contractor.
Contractors Also Made Responsible
The responsibility does not rest entirely with government departments. The circular directs officials to ensure that contractors take the necessary steps to commence work within the stipulated timeframe.
Once a work order has been issued, contractors are expected to mobilise resources and proceed with the work in accordance with the terms of the contract. Government authorities, meanwhile, must ensure that there are no unresolved issues on their side that could unnecessarily prevent the contractor from getting started.
The emphasis on both sides is significant. A project can be delayed not only because of departmental procedures but also because of inadequate mobilisation by the executing agency. The latest instructions seek timely action from everyone involved in the implementation chain.
Senior Officials Asked to Monitor Compliance
The Chief Secretary has also assigned responsibility for ensuring that the directive reaches all relevant government bodies. Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries have been asked to circulate the instructions to boards, corporations, local bodies and other agencies functioning under their respective departments.
This ensures that the directive is not limited to the Secretariat or major departments alone. Government construction projects are executed through a wide network of agencies, including local bodies and public-sector organisations, and the instructions are intended to cover these implementing institutions as well.
At the district level, District Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers have also been tasked with ensuring compliance. Their involvement gives the directive an important monitoring component, particularly because a large number of public works are implemented at the district and local levels.
Violations Could Lead to Disciplinary Action
The government has taken a firm position on non-compliance. The circular states that lapses or violations of the instructions could invite disciplinary action against the tender-inviting authority.
This provision makes the latest directive more than just an advisory instruction. Officials responsible for initiating and overseeing the tendering process are expected to ensure that projects do not remain unnecessarily stalled after work orders are issued.
The possibility of disciplinary action is intended to strengthen accountability. It also puts greater responsibility on authorities to identify potential bottlenecks before issuing work orders rather than allowing avoidable problems to emerge after contracts have already been awarded.
Government Seeks to Prevent Cost Escalation
Delays between the award of a contract and the actual commencement of construction can have wider financial consequences. The Karnataka government has pointed to the possibility of increased project costs, contractual complications and extensions to completion schedules when works do not begin on time.
Long delays can also create administrative and legal difficulties. Contractors may seek extensions, additional costs or other contractual remedies if they are unable to proceed because of issues beyond their control, while government agencies may have to deal with revised schedules and prolonged project monitoring.
By insisting on timely physical commencement, the government hopes to reduce such complications. The idea is to ensure that a project moves smoothly through the chain of tendering, work order and execution instead of getting stuck somewhere between approval and the actual start of construction.
Focus on Faster Delivery of Public Works
At its core, the Chief Secretary’s directive is about improving execution. A government project may have funding, approvals, a completed tender process and a selected contractor, but none of that delivers public benefit until construction actually begins and progresses.
The 30-day framework creates a clear expectation for departments and implementing agencies. It also makes the distinction between administrative ceremonies and project execution unmistakable.
For Karnataka’s infrastructure and public works machinery, the instruction could lead to closer monitoring of the period immediately following the issue of work orders. Departments will need to keep track of whether contractors have mobilised, whether land and approvals are available and whether any unresolved issue is preventing physical work.
A Push for Accountability Across Departments
The circular also reflects a broader attempt to make government departments more accountable for project timelines. Instead of treating the issuance of a work order as the end of the administrative process, the government is placing greater emphasis on what happens immediately afterwards.
The message from the Chief Secretary’s office is practical and direct. If a project is ready to be executed, work should begin; a ceremony can happen around the construction schedule, not the other way around.
For projects where a Bhoomi Puja or foundation-stone event is part of protocol, officials have been given a workable option. They can hold the event within the 30-day window or allow physical construction to begin and organise the ceremony later.
The Karnataka government’s latest instruction could therefore have a direct impact on how quickly public construction projects move from files and formal approvals to visible activity on the ground. With senior officials, district authorities, implementing agencies and tender-inviting authorities all being made responsible for compliance, the state is seeking to close a familiar gap in project execution and ensure that sanctioned works do not lose valuable time waiting for ceremonial functions.
