Gadkari slams officials over Betul–Bhopal highway’s poor state:Asks if they get ‘weekly cut’ from contractor; warns to halt promotions

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has expressed displeasure over the dilapidated condition of the Betul-Bhopal Highway. He said that the Project Director (PD) and Regional Officer (RO) should be held accountable for its poor condition. Gadkari made this statement at an event of the industrial organization CII on October 28, the video of which surfaced on Friday (October 31). Gadkari said that if the number of accidents is increasing on a bad road, then audit the officer’s performance. See how he worked. Do not promote such an officer. A performance audit of the work done is necessary. Good roads are needed. I have also sent a letter to the Ministry’s secretary regarding the Betul-Bhopal road. Gadkari passed through Baretha Ghat with his family
Actually, on October 25, Gadkari had come to Satpura Tiger Reserve with his family. During this, he passed through Baretha Ghat on the Betul-Bhopal Highway. A video from there also went viral, showing road construction happening in heavy rain. It was claimed that asphalting was done in the rain keeping Gadkari’s visit in mind. Videos of the dilapidated road at Baretha Ghat went viral on social media. Congress also protested in front of Gadkari’s convoy. Asked officers – What kind of quality is this?
Gadkari said – I went from Nagpur to the forest area of Betul. About 8 kilometers of road between Betul and Itarsi is closed due to forest clearance. The quality of the road was also not good beyond Betul. I called the PD and RO and asked – What kind of quality is this? Don’t you see it? Are you getting a weekly payment from the contractor? In the ten-year defect liability, we will have to go after the officer instead of the contractor. Highway’s poor condition criticized for a year
The poor condition of the Betul-Bhopal National Highway has been continuously discussed on social media for the past year. Potholes, incomplete construction, and toll collection at various places have angered people. Congress had also protested at the Kundi toll plaza, demanding the closure of the toll. On October 25, when Union Minister Gadkari arrived in Betul with his family for a jungle safari at Satpura Tiger Reserve, Congress workers had planned to give him a memorandum at the toll, but the minister did not stop there.