₹4,200-Crore UP Expressway Develops Damage Weeks After Inauguration

The National Highways Authority of India suspended toll collection after serious defects appeared on the newly opened Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway. Authorities launched extensive repair work and initiated action against the concessionaire and supervising officials responsible for the project. The ₹4,200-crore expressway opened to traffic on July 13 to improve connectivity between Kanpur and Lucknow. Within weeks, engineers identified sinking, surface slippage, and erosion at several locations across the newly constructed highway. Officials immediately deployed heavy machinery to excavate damaged sections and reconstruct the affected pavement. Three engineers associated with the project lost their positions following the discovery of repeated structural defects. NHAI also initiated disciplinary proceedings against the concessionaire, independent engineer, and other responsible officials. Authorities stated that public safety remains the highest priority while repair work continues across the expressway.

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NHAI Suspends Toll Collection as Major Repairs Begin on Newly Opened Expressway

The first major defect appeared near kilometre sixty-four only thirteen days after the expressway became operational. Inspection teams identified sinking pavement and damaged road surfaces requiring immediate reconstruction and structural improvements. Workers initially repaired a damaged bituminous layer before excavating severely affected sections for complete reconstruction. Further inspections revealed possible water penetration beneath additional pavement stretches, prompting authorities to widen repair operations. Engineers eventually expanded reconstruction work to nearly three hundred metres after repeated damage emerged during inspections. Continuous rainfall also contributed to surface erosion and settlement across several additional patches of the expressway. Heavy machinery, including excavators and rollers, remained active while workers replaced weakened construction layers with fresh material. Officials continued monitoring every repaired section to prevent additional failures during ongoing monsoon conditions.

Repair operations significantly affected traffic movement across the expressway, creating diversions and temporary changes for commuters. Authorities closed one carriageway at damaged locations and directed vehicles from both directions onto single operational lanes. Near the Unnao entry point, motorists followed temporary U-turns before joining the available carriageway under traffic supervision. Several commuters expressed concern after paying toll charges before learning about diversions and wrong-side travel arrangements. Drivers stated that authorities failed to provide advance information regarding route changes before collecting toll payments. Motorists also reported uncomfortable journeys because several stretches felt uneven and caused vehicles to bounce at higher speeds. Although the expressway supports speeds up to one hundred twenty kilometres per hour, repair work forced slower travel. NHAI maintained that speed limits officially remained unchanged despite ongoing maintenance activities.

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Water Ingress Suspected, Officials Face Action While IIT Team Launches Probe

Preliminary investigations suggested that rainwater entered the pavement and weakened the soil beneath the road surface. Officials found wet soil below excavated sections, indicating water infiltration contributed to settlement and pavement deformation. Technical experts explained that proper drainage, soil quality, compaction, and construction materials determine long-term road durability. NHAI sent removed construction materials for laboratory testing to determine whether material quality contributed to failures. Initial assessments indicated construction materials appeared satisfactory while water infiltration remained the likely primary cause. Authorities appointed an expert team from IIT Kharagpur to investigate the defects and recommend permanent corrective measures. Engineers also started detailed pavement assessments using laser profilometer technology across the entire expressway. Officials plan another comprehensive safety audit after completing immediate repairs and receiving the expert investigation report.

NHAI launched disciplinary action against concessionaire PNC Infratech and initiated proceedings against several supervising officials. Authorities proposed declaring the concessionaire a non-performer, potentially affecting eligibility for future highway development projects. Officials issued multiple show-cause notices and directed the company to complete all rectification work entirely at its own expense. The estimated repair cost stands at approximately ₹3 crore, with additional contractual penalties remaining under consideration. Authorities removed project managers and supervising engineers while issuing charge sheets against senior project officials for alleged negligence. NHAI also suspended toll collection across the entire expressway until all repair and safety work reaches completion. Officials confirmed that revenue losses during the suspension period will be recovered from the concessionaire under contractual provisions. The authority emphasized its commitment to ensuring safe, durable, and reliable infrastructure for every commuter.

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