A noteworthy incident occurred in Bhagalpur where a BJP MLA, encountering a traffic bottleneck, sought a ride on a motorcycle. The MLA then proceeded to ride on the motorcycle with two others, and without wearing a helmet. The roadway they were traversing was in poor condition, marked by numerous potholes. The motorcycle rider, who gave the MLA a ride, took the opportunity to inquire about the poor state of the road. Subsequently, the MLA was not only stuck in the jam but also confronted with questions about the road’s condition.
A common saying in Bihar politics is: ‘Focus on politics, not the roads!’ and this was somewhat demonstrated by Pawan Yadav, the BJP MLA from Kahalgaon. In Bhagalpur, specifically on NH 80 in the Lailakh region, the road is notably more characterized by potholes than a smooth surface, with the erosion caused by the Ganges River persistently damaging the routes. While maintenance is ongoing, the speed of these repairs seems to fall short of the promises made during election campaigns.
Pawan Yadav, the BJP MLA from Bhagalpur’s Kahalgaon, experienced an unusual circumstance. The MLA, who campaigned on a promise to improve the very road he was now stranded on, was stuck in a traffic jam on that same problematic road. The MLA was trying to reach court. So, he hailed down a motorcycle and asked for a lift. There were already two people riding the motorcycle. MLA Pawan Yadav joined them for the ride. Without a helmet, the MLA joined the group riding on the motorcycle, exceeding its typical capacity. This situation led to a moment that left the MLA in contemplation.
A video was initiated by the individual riding in the middle of the motorcycle, and the motorcycle operator directed a question to the MLA regarding the poor state of the road. The person asked, ‘MLA ji, even with the combined efforts of a double-engine government, why hasn’t the road been repaired yet?’ The person further highlighted that the MLA had an urgent court appointment, but they were delayed by the traffic. In his response, MLA Pawan Yadav placed the blame on the contractor. However, the video’s veracity has not been confirmed by any official entity.
MLA Pawan Yadav, responding to the question, stated, ‘For two years, we have been directing the contractor to prioritize the construction of bridges and culverts, as well as to expedite the roadwork. If he had complied, we would not be encountering this problem today.’ The video featuring MLA Pawan Yadav is rapidly spreading across the internet. The context of this incident is the NH 80, which links Bhagalpur to Kahalgaon and Jharkhand. Construction is in progress on this road, however, the progress has been slow, which has resulted in frequent traffic congestion and inconvenience for travelers. Traffic jams can reach up to 30 kilometers, causing considerable delays for commuters.
