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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Power struggle in ruling Cong has 'created massive confusion' in Karnataka: BJP leader Ashoka
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP leader R Ashoka on Friday claimed that the ongoing power struggle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar has created massive confusion in Karnataka.
He remarked that the proverb “when two people fight, the third one benefits” has come true, as AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge is also now making efforts to become Chief Minister.
Speaking to reporters here, Ashoka said the entire government has turned into a house of confusion due to the alleged power tussle.
Kharge’s new statement has only added to the chaos, he said.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had on Friday said that no date has been fixed yet to discuss possible leadership change in Karnataka.
This came a day after Kharge said there was no change of CM in Karnataka "for now" and that the leadership issue in the state would be resolved soon.
The BJP leader said that Kharge too has aspirations and that he was cheated earlier.
"Perhaps he has received a green signal from the Congress high command to become CM. Everyone is already saying Kharge should become CM. Kharge himself has declared, “I am ready to become CM.” Despite many attempts in the past, he never became CM. Now he is trying to seize the opportunity," the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly said.
According to him, the situation in Congress has perfectly become a case of “two people fighting, third one benefits.”
