Conversation of the Month: Q&A with Dilipbhai Virjibhai Chaudhary, Executive Engineer, Palanpur Roads and Buildings Department

Dilipbhai Virjibhai Chaudhary, who was working as an executive engineer in the Palanpur Roads and Buildings Department, joined the government service in 2010. His father retired as a GST officer in 2012, his wife Urmilaben works in the irrigation department while Nanabhai serves as a mamlatdar in Patan. While Kaka retired as a district judge. Thus, since Dilipbhai's entire family was involved in education, there was an atmosphere of study at home from childhood. During the conversation with Bhaskar, he talked in detail about the family job and the road map of the department he is carrying. Q: What would you say about your life journey, important career milestones and conflicts? Answer: My hometown is Sedrasan village in Palanpur. My father was an officer in the GST under the office where I am currently employed. He retired in 2012. My grandfather was a farmer but he was very fond of education, so he educated both his sons. He always used to say that if you want intellectual development, leave your home or village. I did civil engineering so that I could do something of my own in the future. I remember the case of civil engineering that I could not get admission in civil engineering because I was one mark less. I had to wait for a year. Q: What kind of struggles did you face in your career and how did your family support you? Answer: The fee for two years in the self-finance college was Rs 39,800 to be paid in one go. I am still proud that my family sold my jewellery to educate me. Whatever I am today is only because of my family. Q: As an executive engineer, what kind of work are you prioritising at the moment, what are the things that are hindering? Answer: Before joining the government job, I used to work as a contractor with the same department, so I am well aware of the difficulties that an agency can face. As far as priority is concerned, work is currently going on in the direction of making Palanpur traffic free. The bypass is being built at a rapid pace. The obstacles that were there are slowly being removed. The way Airport Road has been designed in Ahmedabad, we have got the Palanpur 8-lane road project designed by the same designer. The work of the Collectorate will start in the next two months. At present, 50 families live in 5 blocks of government colonies. In the coming time, state-of-the-art blocks will also be built here. Therefore, the people of Palanpur will get something new in the near future.