Jaipur, September 1: Rajasthan’s Chief Secretary, V. Srinivasan, conducted a review on Monday regarding the structural rehabilitation and safety measures of the Rajasthan High Court building located in Jodhpur. The meeting took place at the government secretariat.
Srinivasan instructed officials to prioritize the completion of all tasks within the stipulated timeline and ensure compliance with every directive from the High Court. He emphasized the importance of maintaining effective coordination among departments and preparing fact-based, updated progress reports in light of upcoming hearings. The Chief Secretary stressed that there should be no compromise on the structural safety of the building and directed officials to obtain a detailed technical report from IIT Bombay as soon as possible, taking action based on its findings.
While reviewing the expenses incurred on construction and identifying shortcomings, the Chief Secretary highlighted the need to establish accountability and initiate disciplinary actions within the set timeframe where necessary. He instructed the Public Works Department (PWD) to ensure effective accountability.
Srinivasan also requested information on tests conducted by technical experts and their results, urging officials to obtain all pending reports immediately and act on the recommendations without delay.
The meeting also reviewed compliance with directives issued on August 17 and the status of the Action Taken Report (ATR). This was the third review meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary.
Praveen Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary of PWD, informed the meeting that the first phase of structural rehabilitation, approved by IIT Bombay, is underway at a cost of approximately ₹27.41 crores in areas of high and medium sensitivity. Out of the 24 courtrooms on the first floor, work on 17 has been completed. Essential safety and restoration work, including waterproofing of the roof and repairs to the central dome, is also being carried out in key areas.
Gupta further stated that administrative and financial approval for the second phase has been granted at ₹30.24 crores, with work set to commence on September 20. Regarding the central dome, initial non-destructive testing indicated no immediate risk of collapse; further actions will be based on IIT Bombay’s detailed report.
It is noteworthy that the Rajasthan High Court took suo motu cognizance of issues related to the central dome and other structural deficiencies in the main court building on August 10, 2026.
In this context, the state government is regularly reviewing the safety, restoration, and rehabilitation works, as well as compliance with the High Court’s directives.
The meeting included Praveen Gupta, Chief Engineer of PWD, senior officials from the finance and law departments, and representatives from the Rajasthan State Road Development and Construction Corporation (RSRDC). Representatives from IIT Jodhpur and IIT Bombay participated via video conferencing.
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