New pit stop on Delhi-Dehradun expressway: Two massive potholes
A video has gone viral showing two large potholes on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, which was inaugurated around three months ago by PM Modi. The viral video has put the Rs 1,200 crore highway under scrutiny.
The Delhi-Dehradun expressway, constructed for Rs 12,000 crore, was built to ensure a smooth journey between the cities in just two hours. However, the expressway has now come under scrutiny after a viral video showed two large potholes on the highway that has not even completed three months in service. The unexpected pit stop has sparked outrage, with the Congress alleging massive corruption in the project.
The incident blew up after a motorist shared a video on social media showing the massive gaping potholes on the expressway near Hathi Karoda village in Shamli. The 212-km expressway was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14.
In the video, the motorist claims that "four to five vehicles lost their balance" right in front of him due to the potholes. He further says that at least two cars suffered bent alloy wheels after accidentally hitting the potholes. The video then goes on to show the damaged alloy wheel of a vehicle.
The six-lane expressway, which has brought the hills of Dehradun closer to Delhi, has been witnessing a massive rush, especially during the weekends.
It has cut travel time from the national capital to the 'Gateway of Uttarakhand' from 6 hours to just around 2 hours. The major attraction is a 12 km stretch through the Rajaji National Park, making it Asia's longest elevated wildlife corridor.
Later in the day, as the outrage gained momentum, a patchwork was done on the damaged stretch.
'WHAT MORE PROOF OF CORRUPTION DO WE NEED?'
The expressway was five years in the making. Understandably, with potholes developing just 79 days after the expressway's inauguration, widespread public anger as well as ridicule has swamped social media.
An entrepreneur, Manu, questioned the quality of construction in a post addressed to PM Modi. "It took around 5 years to build, yet it hasn't even seen its first monsoon. Look at the pathetic condition," he tweeted.
"Imagine paying Rs 650 as toll tax while buying 20% ethanol petrol at Rs 110, yet there is no guarantee of life," another user tweeted, referring to the controversy over E20 fuel.
The opposition, meanwhile, pulled all the stops to accuse the BJP government of corruption. The Congress alleged that the poor quality of construction suggested rampant corruption and embezzlement of funds.
"What more proof of corruption do we need? It is open loot and plunder in every department," Congress spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed tweeted.
The AAP also posted the video of the potholes, along with a sharp swipe at the Modi government.
"Rs 12,000 crore was spent to build the Delhi-Dehradun expressway. But within a short time, the Modi government's development came to light," the AAP posted on X.