In a disturbing reminder of how public infrastructure is plagued by deep-rooted corruption, a newly constructed state highway in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district was completely washed away—before it could even be officially inaugurated. Built merely six months ago, the highway was meant to connect the villages of Baghuli and Jahaj to National Highway 52. Instead, it has become a symbol of poor governance, shoddy construction practices, and the rampant misuse of taxpayer money.

Highway Crumbles Under First Test of Rain

On Sunday, heavy rainfall lashed the region, causing the seasonal Katli River that flows through Udaipurwati to swell beyond its banks. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the area received 86 mm of rain in a short span, triggering a rapid rise in the river’s water level and flow speed.

The newly-built highway, which should have been able to withstand typical monsoon pressures, simply couldn’t handle it. A significant portion of the road collapsed directly into the roaring Katli River. In a chilling visual shared widely on social media, a section of the road is seen disintegrating and falling into the water, followed by an electric pole that also gets swept away. The video quickly went viral, sparking outrage and disbelief among citizens and raising serious questions about the quality of the construction.

Citizens Outraged: “Where Did Our Tax Money Go?”

This incident has triggered widespread anger among residents and netizens alike. People are not only concerned about the road’s structural integrity but are also demanding accountability from the government and the contractors responsible for the construction. With crores of rupees from public funds funneled into infrastructure projects like these, citizens are left asking the same painful question: Where is all our tax money going?

Instead of being used for durable, long-lasting development, public funds appear to be vanishing into the black hole of commissions, substandard materials, and backdoor deals. The highway collapse stands as a glaring example of how corruption undermines infrastructure projects, endangers public safety, and erodes trust in the system.

Katli River: Victim of Encroachments and Illegal Mining

Experts have also pointed out that the vulnerability of the Katli River during monsoons has been well known. The river, which passes through the districts of Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Churu, has been subjected to rampant encroachment and illegal sand and gravel mining for years. Despite claims by local administrations that action has been taken to remove unauthorized constructions and stop illegal activities, little seems to have changed on the ground.

Such unregulated mining not only destabilizes the riverbanks but also accelerates soil erosion, which in turn weakens any nearby infrastructure—like the very road that collapsed. Yet, authorities continue to turn a blind eye, perhaps due to vested interests and corrupt collusion with local mafias.

#राजस्थान के झुंझुनू में उद्घाटन से पहले ही बह गई सड़क.. pic.twitter.com/Ntg3yWAqsF— News Art (न्यूज़ आर्ट) (@tyagivinit7) July 9, 2025

Government Response: Too Little, Too Late?

In response to the incident, the Public Works Department (PWD) is reportedly preparing to send a team to inspect the site and assess the damage. However, for many, this feels like a reactionary move—a classic case of too little, too late. What the public demands is not just assessment but real accountability. Names, contracts, budgets, and timelines should be made transparent. The officials responsible for approving and supervising the project must be held accountable.

The Bigger Picture: An Epidemic of Rotten Infrastructure

This is far from an isolated case. Across India, stories of newly constructed roads, bridges, and public buildings crumbling prematurely are becoming alarmingly common. The root of the problem lies in the unholy nexus between corrupt officials, unscrupulous contractors, and indifferent oversight mechanisms. Tenders are often awarded based on kickbacks rather than merit, leading to poor workmanship and corner-cutting at every level.

Such systemic corruption has devastating consequences—not just in terms of financial loss, but also in terms of human lives and lost opportunities. Every rupee siphoned off by corruption is a rupee denied to genuine development, education, healthcare, and long-term progress.

A Wake-Up Call

The collapse of the Jhunjhunu highway is not just a construction failure—it is a moral and governance failure. It is a tragic waste of public funds, a betrayal of citizens’ trust, and a stark reminder of the urgent need for transparency and reform in public infrastructure projects.

Taxpaying citizens deserve more than hollow promises and half-hearted inspections. They deserve roads that don’t crumble under the first rain. They deserve a system where corruption is not the norm but the exception.

Until systemic reforms are made and those responsible are held accountable, stories like this will continue to emerge—one road, one bridge, one tragedy at a time.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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