Bhopal/Jabalpur, Aug 21 (IANS) Senior BJP MLA from Patan constituency in Madhya Pradesh and former minister Ajay Vishnoi has sharply criticised his own BJP-ruled state government over the deteriorating condition of roads under both the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Prime Minister’s rural road schemes.
In a Friday post on X, Vishnoi highlighted the widespread poor state of roads in Madhya Pradesh by attaching a newspaper report, noting that whether constructed by the PWD or the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana department, their condition remains equally bad.
He said citizens troubled by the poor roads often abuse the Chief Minister Mohan Yadav-led MP government, and hold the local MLA accountable by “catching his collar.”
He also spoke to the media regarding the issue. Vishnoi said that he has written several letters to the government drawing attention to the dismal condition of roads.
He specifically referenced the situation arising from the collapse or damage to roads and bridges in the Shahpura-Patan area, which has forced heavy traffic onto alternative routes ill-equipped to handle it, leading to further deterioration and public hardship.
Alleging a sharp rise in departmental corruption, the senior legislator claimed that contractors, in a bid to secure work, quote low prices. After deducting their own profits and alleged bribes paid to department officials, the remaining funds result in substandard construction that quickly falls into disrepair.
He also raised serious questions about the nature of transactions between contractors and the department.
Vishnoi thanked the High Court for reprimanding the government and the PWD over the poor state of roads. He demanded that responsible officials immediately take necessary steps to improve the system and ensure better quality infrastructure.
This is not the first time Vishnoi has spoken out against the Madhya Pradesh government’s handling of road infrastructure in his constituency.
Earlier, he had criticised delays in repairing the damaged Shahpura railway overbridge on NH-45 and the lack of priority given to widening the Jabalpur-Patan road, despite its inclusion in the state budget, holding the PWD minister responsible for the resulting accidents and public inconvenience.
--IANS
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