Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar criticized SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, alleging corruption in the construction of the Lucknow-Agra Expressway during the previous Samajwadi Party government. Rajbhar claimed that the expressway had become synonymous with corruption and mismanagement, citing it as a prime example of alleged malpractice during Yadav’s tenure.
Rajbhar expressed concerns about the safety and public welfare implications of the purported corruption in the project. He referred to the expressway as the ‘Accident Expressway’ and the ‘Expressway of Death,’ attributing these names to the alleged greed-driven corruption that compromised construction standards and jeopardized lives.
The minister further accused the previous government of irregularities in land acquisition and project alignment, alleging collusion to exploit public funds. He highlighted instances of land being acquired at low prices, route alterations for personal gain, and inflated land values benefiting specific individuals associated with the project.
Rajbhar also criticized the alleged design changes that extended the expressway’s length, leading to increased costs and inconveniences for commuters. He warned of ongoing repercussions for travelers due to delays and additional distances, emphasizing the financial and time losses incurred by users of the Agra-Lucknow Expressway.
The escalating accusations by Rajbhar reflect the ongoing political disputes in Uttar Pradesh regarding infrastructure projects, with leaders trading allegations of corruption and irregularities in public works undertaken by successive state governments.
