We’re becoming the third largest economy, but what about collapsing bridges?: Ajit Pawar
New Delhi: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) President Ajit Pawar has raised serious concerns over the deteriorating state of public infrastructure even as India eyes a spot as the world's third-largest economy.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Professional Structural Engineers Association in Pune, Pawar said, “We have said that we will be the third (largest) economy, and that is true. But what about our buildings and bridges collapsing while we become the third largest economy? Who is responsible for that?”
His remarks come at a time when multiple incidents of bridge collapses and road cave-ins have been reported across the country during the ongoing monsoon season. Notably, Pawar’s statement also represents a rare instance of criticism directed at the government by a leader from within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Just a day before Pawar's comments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared that India is “rapidly moving towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy.” However, this claim has drawn scrutiny from various quarters, with many questioning the relevance of GDP growth amid widening economic inequalities and crumbling infrastructure.
Recent incidents across the country have highlighted the severity of the issue:
* July 10: A truck fell into a massive crater on a Gurugram road following heavy rains.
* July 10: The Katli river washed away a road in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district, severing the Baghwali-Jahaj-NH 52 connection.
* July 9: A section of the Mahisagar river bridge in Vadodara collapsed, resulting in 20 fatalities.
* July 4: A newly inaugurated Rs 250-crore flyover in Mumbai developed potholes, causing bikers to skid.
* June 15: An iron bridge over the Indrayani river in Pune collapsed, killing four people.
* In Odisha: A Rs 60-crore flyover in Sambalpur district collapsed just two months after inauguration.
Pawar lamented the declining quality of construction and pointed out that Public Works Department (PWD) officials sometimes receive notices from British companies warning them that certain bridges have completed 100 years and should no longer be used.
“We do not see this quality of construction anymore. New construction techniques have come up and they should definitely be used… buildings should be made stronger,” he said.
He also criticised the tendency among officials to casually suggest demolition of structures merely based on age, saying, “PWD officials tell us often, ‘this building is 40 years old, let’s demolish it and make a new one’. How do they make these statements so casually?”
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
