New Delhi, August 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated strict action against the concessionaire responsible for the Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway after cracks and erosion were reported on parts of the newly opened highway.
According to NHAI officials, the project director of the construction agency has been suspended and debarred from the company’s operations. The head of the independent engineering team has also been suspended following the reported lapses.
The construction agency has been served a show-cause notice and has been asked to explain the reasons behind the emergence of cracks on the expressway within weeks of its inauguration.
The action follows complaints of inconvenience faced by commuters after sections of the 63-km expressway developed cracks and erosion along the edges of the carriageway. Repair work was immediately started, while traffic diversions were introduced to ensure smooth movement of vehicles.
NHAI said the concessionaire is fully responsible for carrying out corrective measures and will bear the entire cost of repairs. The authority clarified that under the agreement, the construction agency will remain responsible for maintenance of the expressway for the next 15 years, and no government funds will be used for the restoration work.
The latest action against PNC Infratech comes after NHAI suspended toll collection across the entire expressway until the damaged stretches are repaired.
Clarifying the extent of the damage, NHAI said only around 1 km of the approximately 64-km expressway has been affected due to water seepage, and the entire highway is not impacted.
The highway authority has also announced that an independent investigation will be conducted by a team from IIT Kharagpur to examine the reasons behind the defects.
An NHAI official said the authority is taking all necessary steps under government guidelines to address the issue in a time-bound manner and ensure accountability.
The ₹4,200-crore Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway was constructed by Agra-based PNC Infratech Limited and was inaugurated on July 13 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
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