Offbeat : A pressing question on transparency and public accountability is gaining traction across India: “If a ₹10 biscuit packet must carry all necessary information, why don’t ₹100 crore road or bridge projects share complete details with the public?”
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This question resonates with thousands of citizens who see daily construction of roads and bridges worth crores of rupees, but are left completely in the dark about the project specifics.
The logic is simple — if every packaged food item in India must legally mention its price, ingredients, weight, manufacturer details, and expiry date, why are taxpayers not given similar access to the details of massive infrastructure projects built with their money?
Activists and common people alike are demanding transparency in road construction and public works. They insist that every large public infrastructure project must publicly display key information such as:
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Total project cost
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Contractor and sub-contractor details
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Names of responsible engineers and officers
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Length, width, and material specifications
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Toll charges (if applicable) and toll collection period
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Estimated start and completion dates
This level of information, they argue, should be displayed clearly on large signboards at the construction sites and supported by QR codes that the public can scan for detailed project info on their smartphones. This would not only empower the citizens but also help curb corruption and promote accountability in public spending.
People are questioning: “Why pay toll for roads that aren’t safe or properly maintained? Why is the identity of the contractor or the material used kept hidden?”
It’s time the government adopts transparent practices by making it mandatory for all public infrastructure projects to disclose such vital information openly. Just like a ₹10 biscuit cannot be sold without a label, a ₹100 crore road must not be built without public accountability.
Whether this idea is adopted by policy-makers remains to be seen — but it’s clear that public demand for transparency in infrastructure is no longer a whisper, it’s a collective voice.
