Barely three weeks after its opening, parts of the Rs 4,200-crore Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway have developed serious damage and cracks, forcing authorities to dig up and rebuild affected stretches. Three engineers have been removed from the project, while the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has suspended toll collection across the entire expressway until repairs are completed.
NHAI has also initiated action against construction firm PNC Infratech after instances of sinking, surface slippage and erosion emerged along the newly built road.
The 63-km expressway, inaugurated on July 13 to improve connectivity between Lucknow and Kanpur, showed its first major signs of trouble on the night of July 26, just 13 days after it opened to traffic. Sinking and slippage were reported along a stretch in Unnao district.
Since then, repairs have been carried out at multiple locations along the newly built expressway. A ground assessment by India Today TV found repairs underway at several locations, with heavy machinery excavating damaged portions and reconstructing the pavement. Visuals on social media even showed fans being deployed to dry accumulated rainwater on the newly built road.
The work has also disrupted traffic, with both directions being routed through a single carriageway at some locations. Near the Unnao entry point, motorists were being asked to take U-turns and briefly travel against the normal direction of traffic before joining the operational carriageway.
SAME STRETCH REPAIRED AGAIN
At the affected stretch in Unnao, NHAI officials said the initial problem was detected along a roughly 120-metre patch. About 100 metres of the bituminous surface was repaired, while around 20 metres was completely excavated and reconstructed.
However, the problem resurfaced. Further inspection raised concerns that water may have penetrated adjoining portions of the pavement, prompting NHAI to excavate and reconstruct a larger stretch of around 300 metres as a preventive measure.
Minor slippages were subsequently reported at three or four other locations, while further rainfall led to complaints of erosion and settlement at several patches. At some sections, portions of the surface material could be seen crumbling.
TWO-WAY TRAFFIC ON SAME CARRIAGEWAY
With one carriageway shut at affected locations, vehicles travelling between Lucknow and Kanpur in both directions are being routed through the operational side.
At another location inspected by India Today TV, damage had emerged even on the carriageway being used for two-way traffic. Barricades had been erected and repairs were underway as vehicles continued to pass nearby.
The situation has raised safety concerns as the expressway was designed for speeds of up to 120 kmph. NHAI said the official speed limit had not been reduced, though barricades, diversions and repair zones have forced motorists to slow down.
“The road has been designed for a speed of 120 kmph. The limit has not been reduced,” an NHAI official said.
PAY TOLL, THEN DRIVE ON WRONG SIDE
The disruption has been particularly acute near the Unnao entry point, where vehicles entering through the toll plaza were unable to continue straight because of barricades ahead. Drivers were instead directed to take a U-turn and travel against the normal direction of traffic before joining the operational carriageway.
Several commuters told India Today TV they were not warned about the diversion before entering the expressway.
One commuter from Unnao said his FASTag payment was deducted before he was informed about the arrangement.
“They deducted my FASTag first and only then told me to take a U-turn and go towards Lucknow from the wrong side,” he said.
The commuter said motorists were concerned about safety as well as possible traffic penalties.
“There is obviously a problem. I don’t know, I may even get a challan for driving on the wrong side,” he said.
Another motorist said drivers should have been informed before paying the toll.
“They collected the toll and didn’t say anything at that time. After collecting the toll, they are giving us a surprise,” he said.
“If we have to drive on the wrong side, they should have informed us. It would have been better to keep the ramp closed,” he added.
COMMUTERS FLAG BUMPY, SUNKEN PATCHES
People have also complained about the condition of other portions of the newly opened road.
One commuter who had travelled on the expressway two days earlier said several stretches appeared to have sunk.
“The road was very bad at several places. At some points it felt completely sunken. If you drive at 100 kmph, the vehicle starts bouncing,” he said.
The disruption has prompted some motorists to return to older routes between Kanpur and Lucknow.
NHAI, however, maintained that the damage was limited when compared with the total length of the expressway.
“The total length is 63 km and if both sides are counted, it is 126 km. We have identified five locations and even if all five are put together, the affected length is less than one kilometre,” an official said.
NHAI BLAMES WATER INGRESS, EXPERT PROBE ORDERED
NHAI’s preliminary assessment suggests rainwater penetrated the pavement and reached the underlying soil.
“Prima facie, after inspection, it appears that water somehow entered the road. Rainwater percolated down and reached the soil underneath. When we excavated the portion, we found wet soil below. The damage appears to have occurred because of water,” the official said.
Technical experts say road durability depends on factors including soil quality, compaction, drainage and the quality and temperature of bituminous material used during construction. Water reaching weakened underlying layers can reduce soil strength or cause settlement, deforming the pavement above.
NHAI said material removed from the affected sections has been sent for laboratory testing.
“The materials that have been removed have been sent for testing. The report has not come yet,” the official said, adding that preliminary examination suggested the construction material itself was satisfactory.
“Prima facie, the materials appear to be fine. It appears that water entered the soil underneath and, as the soil settled, the surface above also sank.”
The exact cause, however, is yet to be established. NHAI has appointed a team from IIT Kharagpur, led by Professor KS Reddy, to investigate the root cause and recommend corrective measures.
A detailed pavement assessment is also being conducted using laser profilometer technology. A further safety audit will be carried out after the immediate repairs are completed and the expert findings are received.
PNC INFRATECH FACES NON-PERFORMER TAG
NHAI has issued notices proposing to declare concessionaire PNC Infratech Ltd a “non-performer”, which could affect the company’s eligibility to participate in future NHAI tenders.
Two show-cause notices have also been issued to the company. NHAI has proposed a penalty equivalent to 2 per cent of the performance security, while debarment proceedings of up to three years could be initiated against the Head of Pavement/Highways and other personnel found responsible.
PNC has been ordered to carry out all rectification work at its own cost, with NHAI estimating the repairs at around Rs 3 crore.
“Whatever rectification work is being carried out is being done at the concessionaire’s cost, not NHAI’s cost. Whatever damages are applicable under the contract will also be imposed,” the official said.
The expressway was developed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), which makes the concessionaire responsible for rectifying defects during the stipulated concession period.
“This project is under the HAM model, not the EPC model. It is their responsibility for 15 years. If any defect occurs during this period, they have to rectify it at their own cost,” the official said.
OFFICIALS REMOVED, PROJECT DIRECTOR REPATRIATED
Action has also been taken against personnel responsible for supervising the project.
Construction agency project manager Vivek Kumar Gupta, independent engineer team leader Surendra Kumar and resident engineer Yatendra Kumar have been removed and barred for two years from participating in projects of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NHAI and NHIDCL.
Current Project Director Nakul Prakash Verma has been repatriated to his parent department. Charge sheets are also being issued against Verma and former Project Director Saurabh Chaurasia over alleged negligence in discharging their responsibilities.
NHAI has additionally issued a debarment notice to Theme Engineering Services Pvt Ltd, the project’s independent engineer, proposing restrictions on its participation in future NHAI projects.
TOLL SUSPENDED ACROSS EXPRESSWAY
Amid the continuing repairs and traffic disruption, NHAI has now suspended toll collection across the expressway until the rectification work is completed.
“The Authority has decided to suspend toll collection. We are suspending the toll from now and will not collect toll until the rectification work is completed,” an official said.
The suspension applies across the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway because it operates under a single closed-tolling system, in which motorists are charged according to their entry and exit points.
NHAI said commuters would not bear toll charges during the suspension and the resulting revenue loss would be recovered from PNC Infratech.
“Whatever toll loss occurs will be recovered from the concessionaire, PNC,” the official said.
– Ends
