Rahul Gandhi Flags Poor Condition of PMGSY Roads in His Constituency, UP Minister Hits Back

Rahul Gandhi Raises PMGSY Road Quality Issue

Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of damaged rural roads during a meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) in Raebareli on September 9.

During the meeting, Gandhi displayed photographs showing pothole-riddled stretches of roads constructed under the PMGSY and sought details about the agencies responsible for the work.

He also stressed the need for proper records identifying the agencies involved in constructing different roads so that responsibility can be fixed when infrastructure deteriorates.

PMGSY Executive Engineer Assures Repairs

The condition of the roads prompted Gandhi to seek action from the officials present at the meeting.

According to a nominated member of the DISHA committee, Umesh Bahadur Singh, Gandhi identified specific damaged roads and presented photographic evidence before officials.

The PMGSY executive engineer reportedly assured the meeting that the affected roads would be repaired.

The episode brought road quality and maintenance under the rural connectivity programme into focus during the review of central government schemes in the district.

Gandhi Seeks Accountability From Construction Agencies

Gandhi also emphasised that government agencies should maintain clear records of which contractor or implementing agency was responsible for each road.

The demand for such documentation is aimed at making it easier to identify responsibility when roads deteriorate or construction quality becomes a concern.

The Congress leader's intervention came after he reviewed road conditions in the district and brought photographs of damaged stretches to the DISHA meeting.

UP Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh Hits Back

Uttar Pradesh Horticulture Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh criticised Gandhi's approach following the meeting.

Singh alleged that Gandhi appeared more interested in finding faults in government schemes than in reviewing their implementation.

The minister also questioned Gandhi's approach during discussions on other schemes, saying the Congress leader appeared to be participating in the DISHA meeting primarily in his role as Leader of Opposition rather than as Raebareli MP and chairperson of the committee.

Debate Over Government Schemes

The disagreement between Gandhi and the UP minister has added a political dimension to the review of development schemes in Raebareli.

The DISHA meeting was convened to review the implementation of various Central government programmes in the district. Food security, roads and other development issues were among the subjects discussed.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Manoj Kumar Pandey said the meeting covered several Central schemes and claimed that around 21.92 lakh people in Raebareli were receiving ration under the government's food security programme.

UP Government Highlights Road Construction

While Gandhi focused on the condition of specific PMGSY roads, the state government highlighted the overall scale of road construction in the district.

Pandey said around 16,000 small and major roads had been constructed in Raebareli over the previous five years.

The contrasting positions underline the political debate over whether the emphasis should be placed on the number of infrastructure projects completed or on the quality and maintenance of individual roads.

Rahul Gandhi's Raebareli Visit

The road-related discussion was part of Gandhi's broader two-day visit to Raebareli, his Lok Sabha constituency.

During the visit, he met traders, lawyers, Congress functionaries and representatives of various organisations to hear concerns from the constituency and neighbouring areas.

Gandhi also handed over two ambulances to the health department and participated in the inauguration of development projects worth around Rs 3 crore, according to Congress leaders.

SP Leaders Also Raise Local Issues

Gandhi's visit coincided with a protest by Samajwadi Party MLAs Rahul Lodhi and Shyam Sundar Bhati outside the collectorate.

The legislators raised issues including unemployment, farmers' concerns, alleged encroachment, school closures and basic amenities.

Their intervention added another layer to the political activity surrounding the DISHA meeting, with opposition parties seeking to highlight local development concerns ahead of the next Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Road Quality Becomes Political Talking Point

The condition of PMGSY roads has now become part of the wider political discussion in Raebareli.

For Gandhi, the damaged roads raise questions about construction quality, maintenance and accountability. For the BJP-led state government, the broader record of infrastructure development remains an important part of its governance narrative.

The competing arguments are likely to become more prominent as political parties prepare for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Why PMGSY Roads Matter

The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is aimed at improving rural road connectivity and linking eligible habitations with all-weather roads.

In districts such as Raebareli, the condition of rural roads directly affects access to schools, healthcare, markets and employment opportunities.

Consequently, complaints over damaged roads can carry both developmental and political significance, particularly when raised during an official review meeting.

Conclusion

Rahul Gandhi's intervention over the condition of PMGSY roads in Raebareli has brought road quality and accountability back into the political spotlight in Uttar Pradesh.

During the DISHA meeting, Gandhi displayed photographs of pothole-riddled roads, identified specific stretches and sought details of the agencies responsible for their construction. Officials subsequently assured the meeting that repairs would be undertaken.

UP minister Dinesh Pratap Singh, however, criticised Gandhi's approach and accused him of focusing more on finding faults than reviewing the implementation of government schemes. With the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections approaching, development, infrastructure and delivery of welfare schemes are likely to remain key issues in the political contest.