Photo Source; Babushahi Bureau

Haryana CM Saini inaugurates Quality Assurance Conclave; launches SOMPs to elevate infrastructure standards

Babushahi Bureau

Chandigarh, May 2, 2025 – Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini on Friday inaugurated the Standard Operating Methods and Procedures (SOMPs) prepared by the Quality Assurance Authority to ensure robust, sustainable,  reliable infrastructure in the state.

The Chief Minister said that this is not just a document but a vision, a foundation upon which a grand structure of quality, long-lasting infrastructure, services, and good governance will be built. This event is a testament to the government’s commitment to prioritizing quality in Haryana’s development journey, said Sh. Nayab Singh  Saini.

While addressing the gathering after the inauguration of SOMPs during the  Quality Assurance Conclave held in Panchkula, the Chief Minister congratulated the Haryana Quality Assurance Authority on completing two years of its establishment.

He praised the Authority for its exemplary work in a short span of time. The Chief Minister also launched the website of Quality Assurance Authority.

The Chief Minister said that this 'Quality Assurance Authority' is the first state-level institution in India that is entirely focused on infrastructure quality. Its model is being studied by other states and central institutions. He expressed hope that this model will soon evolve into a 'national network for quality assurance' across the country.

He emphasized that incomplete or poorly executed construction is more harmful than no construction at all. Embracing this philosophy, the government has decided to prioritize quality. These SOMPs are the standards for ensuring quality for government departments, engineers, contractors, and policymakers.

The Chief Minister said that SOMPs are not just administrative tools, they are instruments of safety, reliability, and efficiency. For instance, in commercial aviation, SOPs have helped reduce accidents significantly. Similarly, in healthcare, SOPs save lives and help ensure product quality in the global construction industry through standards like ‘Six Sigma’, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini. 

He said this Quality Assurance Conclave is not just about procedures and protocols, but part of a holistic approach that will lead us toward building a strong, secure, and smart Haryana.

Our Goal is to ensure that Every Construction, Service, and Policy in Haryana Reflects International Standards– Chief Minister

The Chief Minister said the government aims that every construction project, service, and policy in Haryana must adhere to international standards. The theme of this conclave, "Strong, Sustainable, and Reliable Infrastructure," reflects the government’s focus not only on the speed of development but also on its quality, he said.

 Nayab Singh Saini said that ensuring sustainable completion of any work requires a clear, scientific, and systematic process. The SOMPs offer a comprehensive approach from planning to maintenance. It  also specifies how planning should be done, what the design should look like, and the quality of materials to be used. Additionally, SOMPs outline inspection checkpoints during construction, safety standards, and environmental considerations, said the Chief Minister. 

Ensuring Quality along with Development for Viksit Bharat- Viksit Haryana

The Chief Minister said that, aligned with the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision, Haryana is moving swiftly toward the goal of  Viksit Bharat- Viksit Haryana. It has become essential that development projects are not only fast-paced but also sustainable and reliable. Speed alone is not enough, compromising quality in the name of speed leads to accidents, increased costs, and a loss of public trust, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

Research and Development Center to be established to promote best practices in Indian Construction Contexts

The Chief Minister said that the Quality Assurance Authority was established to guarantee quality construction across all departments. This Authority is a multi-dimensional body ensuring quality in key sectors like roads, bridges, buildings, irrigation, water, sewage, and energy, he said.

The Chief Minister  said that the focus is not only on quality but also on capacity-building through training engineers, regional workshops, and digital manuals. Besides this,  a Research and Development center will be set up to promote best practices tailored to Indian construction needs, he said.

Plan to extend Quality Assurance Authority's scope to Private Infrastructure Projects in Future

 Nayab Singh Saini said that the government plans to extend the Quality Assurance Authority’s scope to include private infrastructure projects, especially those linked to the government licensing process. This will cover public-private partnership projects, private buildings, townships, and industrial parks. This step will broaden quality assurance beyond public works, increase public confidence, and boost investor trust, he said.

We must collectively embrace the vision that quality is not just a task, but a habit. By laying this foundation today, we can pass on a legacy of trust and safety to future generations. We have the resources, the skills, and most importantly, the determination. Now is the time to turn this determination into action that will be remembered for decades, said the Chief Minister.

Our endeavour is to make Haryana a state and the Nayab government a model where supplementary budgets are minimal – Krishan Lal Panwar

Development and Panchayat Minister, Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar said that the SOMPs launched today by the Quality Assurance Authority will help improve the quality of development projects. He said that many projects remain pending, and when work is not completed on time and re-tendering is required, additional funds are sought from the government. This often leads to the necessity of supplementary demands. Our effort should be to make Haryana a state and the ‘Nayab Sarkar’  a model where the need for supplementary budgets is minimal. This will only be possible if all projects in the state are completed on time, said the Minister.

. Krishan Lal Panwar urged the engineering wing to resolve that a message should go out from today’s event: under the leadership of Chief Minister. Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, every project initiated by the state government will be completed within the stipulated time frame.

. Krishan Lal Panwar emphasized that the engineers of the state should earn such a reputation that projects are completed on time and Haryana’s name is held high. He said that whenever a new project begins, a DPR is prepared and work is initiated. The Quality Control Authority or the quality wings within departments inspect the project. If we monitor projects from the beginning, there will definitely be a quality improvement, said Krishan Lal Panwar.

He said that the Quality Assurance Authority should also contribute to the Panchayats department’s projects. Our government has ensured that facilities like drinking water and sewerage, on par with urban areas, will be provided in Mahagram. These efforts involve projects worth crores of rupees. Currently, work is underway in 22 Mahagram. If the Quality Assurance Authority monitors these projects, the Panchayat department will certainly benefit.

He said  that the Panchayat Department maintains approximately 70,000 rural roads. In addition, under the Pond Authority, out of around 19,000 ponds in the state, about 6,000 polluted ponds are being rejuvenated.

Viksit Haryana will have its own identity on Viksit Bharat’s map – Public Works Minister Ranbir Gangwa

Public Works Minister, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa stated that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has presented a vision to make India a developed nation by 2047. In support of this vision, we will work towards making Haryana a developed state. When the map of a developed India is drawn, Haryana will have its distinct identity. For this, we must focus on strengthening our infrastructure. It is crucial to ensure that there is no compromise in the quality of developmental projects, as it not only results in financial loss but also causes difficulties for the public, said Sh. Ranbir Gangwa.

He said that the government is taking significant steps to reduce delays and cost overruns in infrastructure projects by adhering to defined standards. These measures aim not only to complete projects on time but also to enhance the durability and safety of the nation’s infrastructure, said Sh. Ranbir Gangwa.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, India is entering an era where governance is moving forward with a focus on quality. Our government has worked to transform governance into good governance. People have full trust in the government, which is why the Bharatiya Janata Party has been elected for a third consecutive term at both the central and Haryana, said Sh. Ranbir Gangwa.

He emphasized that to meet the aspirations of the people, the government has a responsibility to prioritize not just good governance but also high-quality infrastructural development. When we talk about infrastructure projects, we are not just referring to bricks and mortar, but to the trust that people place in us. To uphold that trust, the government has created many plans, and today marks an important milestone in improving the quality of infrastructural development, said Sh. Ranbir Gangwa.

He said that this is not just a mission, it is a movement, a foundation of development, trust, and a new India, said Sh. Ranbir Gangwa.

Quality Assurance Authority is a Comprehensive Structural Framework that Focuses on Planning, Material Quality, and Maintenance Methods – Chairman Rajeev Arora

The Chairman, Quality Assurance Authority, Sh. Rajeev Arora, shared information about the Authority’s work through a presentation. He said that the Haryana government has established a unique authority not found anywhere else in India. He explained that the vision of the then Chief Minister of Haryana was that quality assurance should not be limited to on-site sampling, but should go beyond to strengthen processes and integrate them into everyday operations.

He shared that the Authority has also worked extensively on training and capacity building. In the past month alone, 80 engineers have been trained, and another 80 are scheduled to receive training this month, said Sh. Rajeev Arora.

He emphasized that the Quality Assurance Authority is a comprehensive structural framework that offers a holistic approach. It focuses on how planning should be done, what the design should be like, and the quality of materials to be used. In addition, it monitors the types of inspections to be carried out during construction, the safety standards to be maintained, and the methods for ongoing maintenance, informed Sh. Rajeev Arora.

He further said that the SOMPs developed by the Authority incorporate project quality assurance, efficiency, proper procedural compliance, safety, risk management, and accountability.

Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Dr. Saket Kumar, Commissioner and Secretary,  Public Health Engineering Department Sh. Mohammed Shayin, Media Secretary Sh. Praveen Attrey and other senior officers also remained present in the conclave.