PM Modi gets taste of pothole-ridden roads on way from Lothal to Gandhinagar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Gujarat visit on Saturday highlighted the poor condition of the state’s road infrastructure. Forced to travel by road from Lothal to Gandhinagar due to bad weather, the PM’s convoy was repeatedly slowed down by potholes, waterlogged stretches, and broken surfaces.

Modi had arrived in Lothal from Bhavnagar to review the National Maritime Heritage Complex project on Saturday. However, his helicopter could not take off for nearly 45 minutes because of unfavorable weather, prompting a last-minute decision to travel by road.

On the route via Bagodara, several stretches were riddled with potholes, the same roads that commuters struggle with daily. The convoy, which included the prime minister, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, state BJP president C R Patil, and Home Minister Amit Shah, had to reduce speed multiple times. A major traffic jam near Bavla also forced authorities to divert heavy vehicles towards Sanand.

Even on the Sardar Patel Ring Road — considered a crucial highway — waterlogging and potholes hindered smooth movement. The incident has raised fresh questions over the state of Gujarat’s infrastructure, exposing a stark contrast between development claims and on-ground reality.