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NHAI Cracks Down After Pavement Failure on Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway
Toll Suspended, Officials Face Charges, Contractor Under Strict Action
By Pooja Srivastava | Anytime News Network
The Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway, one of Uttar Pradesh’s flagship highway projects, has come under intense scrutiny after a pavement slippage near Km-64 exposed serious concerns over construction quality and project supervision. Responding swiftly, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated disciplinary proceedings against senior project officials while suspending toll collection until restoration work is completed.
Senior Officials Face Departmental Action
Current Project Director Nakul Prakash Verma has been repatriated to his parent department, while charge-sheet proceedings have been initiated against both him and former Project Director Saurabh Chaurasia over alleged lapses in project monitoring and execution.
Contractor Served Non-Performer Notice
Concessionaire PNC Infratech Ltd. has been served a Non-Performer Notice and directed to undertake repairs worth nearly ₹3 crore entirely at its own cost. The authority has also proposed financial penalties, downgrade of performance ratings, and other contractual actions.
IIT Kharagpur to Probe Root Cause
To determine the exact reason behind the pavement failure, NHAI has appointed a technical committee led by Prof. K. S. Reddy of IIT Kharagpur. The expert panel will identify engineering deficiencies and recommend corrective measures. Additionally, laser profilometer-based assessment of the entire expressway pavement is being conducted.
Three Key Officials Debarred
The Project Manager of the construction company, the Team Leader of the Independent Engineer, and the Resident Engineer have been removed from the project and barred for two years from participating in projects under MoRTH, NHAI, and NHIDCL. Action has also been proposed against the Independent Engineering Consultant.
No Toll Until Repairs, Speed Limit Unchanged
NHAI clarified that the 120 km/h speed limit remains unchanged, dismissing speculation about any reduction. However, toll collection will remain suspended until repair work is completed, with the resulting revenue loss to be recovered from the concessionaire.
The developments underscore a strong message that accountability, engineering quality, and public safety will remain central to India’s expanding highway infrastructure programme.
