Unsafe Bhavnagar highway this time takes toll of BJP workers, Rupani expresses sadness

Gandhinagar: Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has expressed sadness over accidental deaths of two party workers on Ahmedabad – Bhavnagar highway. The party workers were returning to Bhavnagar after attending Vijay Rupani cabinet’s swearing in function earlier today in capital Gandhinagar.

Rupani in his tweets said: Saddened at the demise of Shri Sureshbhai and Shri Rameshbhai who had come specially from Bhavnagar to attend today’s swearing in ceremony. Shri Sureshbhai and Shri Rameshbhai faced an accident on their way back. I convey my deepest condolences on demise of our karyakarta.

It is worth mentioning here that while previous BJP governments have made highways connecting Ahmedabad to Mahesana, Rajkot and Vadodara very safer, the highway to Bhavnagar is still very risky and dangerous for driving. The government needs to step in and urgently carry out widening and revamping work for Ahmedabad – Bhavnagar highway. It will be real tribute to karyakartas who died today.

There was a time when Gujarati newspapers had to hire dedicated reporters at Limbdi to cover daily dose of deadly accidents on highly risky Sayla-Chotila stretch. Then minister Vajubhai Vala and other BJP leaders mainly from Rajkot decided to end this menage once and for all. The highway was widened and revamped. The accidents are now occurring fewer in number and 100s of lives are saved.

Same speed and dedication however is not seen when it comes to Bhavnagar. One reason is that Bhavnagar is located in a corner. You pass through Mahesana and reach north India. You pass through Vadodara and reach Surat and Mumbai, but Bhavnagar is like dead-end. The other reason is that even after the State government announced to build first State built express way connecting to Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar, the people were not ready to give land for that highway. The work couldn’t progress therefore.

But these can not be excuses. The government needs to make Ahmedabad – Bhavnagar highway safer and that task needs to be started and completed speedily.

DeshGujaat