LUCKNOW: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated major action over the controversy surrounding the newly inaugurated Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway.NHAI has proposed to declare PNC Infratech, the company that executed the project, a non-performer and bar it from participating in upcoming projects.The action comes weeks after the Rs 4,200-crore expressway was opened to traffic and portions of the road reportedly developed damage during the first monsoon spells.In a major relief for commuters, NHAI has also suspended toll collection on the expressway until the damaged stretch is completely repaired. No toll will be charged from vehicle owners during this period.
PNC Infratech faces major action
NHAI has proposed declaring PNC Infratech a non-performer entity, which would make the company ineligible to participate in bidding for future NHAI projects.The authority has also proposed penalties against the concessionaire over alleged lapses in the execution of the project.The damaged portion will have to be rectified by the concessionaire at its own cost. NHAI has estimated the repair work at around Rs 3 crore.The action follows widespread concern over the condition of the expressway after its inauguration on July 13.Commuters had shared videos showing damaged portions and patchwork at various locations, particularly on the Unnao-Lucknow carriageway.
Charge sheets against sitting, former project directors
NHAI has also initiated action against the sitting and former project directors of its Lucknow project implementation unit.Charge sheets have been served on Nakul Prakash Verma, the present project director, and Saurabh Chaurasia, the former project director, over alleged negligence.Both officials are being repatriated to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).Nav Ratan, project director of NHAI’s Bareilly unit, has been brought in to oversee the project.NHAI has separately removed project manager Vivek Kumar Gupta, independent engineer team leader Surendra Kumar and resident engineer Yatendra Kumar from the project.They have also been debarred from projects of MoRTH, NHAI and NHIDCL for two years.
Toll suspended until repairs complete
The toll suspension is among the key measures announced by NHAI amid the controversy.The authority said commuters would not have to pay toll until complete rectification of the affected stretch. The loss in toll revenue will subsequently be recovered from the concessionaire.The expressway had earlier charged Rs 275 for a one-way journey by car, jeep or van.The decision followed a road “slippage” near Km 64 on July 26. NHAI said repair work was taken up immediately and traffic was diverted at the affected location.
IIT team to probe damage
NHAI has engaged a team of experts led by professor KS Reddy of IIT Kharagpur to determine the cause of the slippage and suggest remedial measures.The authority will also conduct a laser profilometer-based assessment of pavement conditions across the expressway.
