Days after a devastating accident on the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway that claimed 13 lives, Rajasthan Congress on Sunday demanded the resignation of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, accusing his ministry and toll companies of corruption and negligence.
Former minister and Congress leader Pratap Singh Khachariyawas blamed the Centre, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and toll operators for the accident at Bhankrota in Jaipur. Calling NHAI the most “corrupt department” in our country, Khachariyawas said “The corrupt system led to the death of 13 people in a tragic fire after the crash.”
Khachariyawas alleged that despite collecting massive toll revenues, the company responsible for the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway failed to complete the required work and neglected essential safety measures. He also accused Gadkari of favouring toll companies, allowing them to evade accountability.
“The tender conditions are clear—toll companies must ensure proper culverts, hospitals, ambulances, and road security. Yet, none of this has been provided. The toll company and NHAI officials should be arrested immediately,” he said,
He demanded Rs 1 crore compensation for each victim and a government job for one family member. The Congress leader also criticised the state government for inaction, stating that no significant repairs had been undertaken despite the Chief Minister’s visit to the accident site.
Khachariyawas further claimed that Gadkari’s promises remained unfulfilled.
“In 2014, Gadkari flew by helicopter to inspect the Jaipur-Delhi highway, promising repairs in six months. To this day, the highway remains unsafe, riddled with corruption,” he said. The Congress party has called for immediate arrests, hefty fines on toll companies, and urgent safety improvements to prevent further tragedies.