The country’s longest lifeline, National Highway 44 — stretching from kashmir to Kanyakumari — has literally drowned under the weight of corruption, mismanagement, and empty promises. Near Narsingi in Telangana, the highway has transformed into a giant lake, halting all traffic between Hyderabad and Nizamabad. vehicles have been stopped for fear of being swept away by floodwaters.
And yet, Union minister Nitin Gadkari never misses a chance to boast about building “world-class infrastructure” in India. If this is the definition of world-class, taxpayers deserve to know where their hard-earned money is really flowing — because it clearly isn’t going into durable roads.
NH-44: From Artery to Catastrophe
NH-44, meant to be the pride of India’s road network, is now a national embarrassment.
Rainfall may have triggered the flooding, but the collapse of highway sections reveals the shoddy quality of construction.
Reports indicate that several stretches have washed away entirely, making this so-called “national highway” resemble a village mud track.
The Joke on Taxpayers
Every indian who pays income tax and road cess should ask one question: Where did the money go?
Billions are spent annually on highway projects, but when tested by nature, they crumble like sandcastles.
Instead of accountability, citizens are served glossy speeches and ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
The ordinary commuter — truckers, daily travelers, families on the road — bear the brunt, risking lives on unsafe highways.
The Gadkari-Ethanol Nexus
Critics allege that Gadkari’s real interest lies not in strengthening India’s road network, but in strengthening his family’s business empire.
His son’s ethanol ventures are thriving, thanks to policies shaped by the Transport Ministry.
Meanwhile, road safety and durable construction remain sidelined — as NH-44’s collapse blatantly shows.
India Deserves Better
India’s economic backbone cannot be built on roads that turn into rivers every monsoon. Gadkari’s “world-class” slogan has now become a cruel punchline — with stranded passengers, damaged vehicles, and drowned highways as the backdrop.
A minister who cannot ensure basic quality and longevity in the nation’s largest highway project has no business talking about global standards. Until accountability replaces propaganda, taxpayers will keep paying for roads that wash away while politicians and their families prosper.
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