The Modi government is making roads at an unimaginable pace. Mega projects have been successfully completed within the time frame, some even earlier. Not only is the road network of urban India being strengthened, but rural India is also being rapidly brought into the mega roadmap of the country. Until May 2014, the construction rate of highways stood at 11.67 km per day. The previous NDA regime had steadily raised the construction rate to the present 26.9 km per day in FY 2017-18. Modi government constructed 73% more highways compared to UPA’s previous stint in the government.
Nitin Gadkari is known to complete tasks which are given to him with utmost dedication. He is a no-nonsense man when it comes to getting work done. Therefore, it is only expected of him to take stern action against anyone who creates impediments in his and his ministry’s projects. He has therefore written a letter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking investigation and action against several state politicians and officials who are creating an obstruction in the road construction works. According to the letter, MP’s and MLA’s of various states are creating hurdles for contractors and firms which are conducting road construction works. They, as a result, have to pay money to these individuals to resume their work. While certain politicians do not explicitly ask for money, some are brave enough to do it directly in order for the work to resume. The home state of Gadkari, Maharashtra, is stated to have the maximum number of complaints recorded in this regard. Similar complaints have also been reported from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The CBI and ED are now expected to take decisive action against all such elements creating impediments in the development of their states. It is common sense that the development of roads is bound to boost the economy of the state, however, all that such leaders are worried about is their personal financial gain out of these projects. It is this same lethargic and greedy mind-set which has seriously impacted India’s development prior to 2014. It is only benefitting for the agencies to name and shame these politicians for stalling development work in their states, so that the public can make a better choice in the next elections by voting these money-hungry leaders out.
Any other politician would have shied away from taking action against his colleagues, however, Nitin Gadkari has his priorities sorted. Nothing comes between work and responsibilities for him, admirably so.