NHAI Rejects Cave-In Claims On Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway

31 Jul 2026 CW Team

The National Highways Authority of India denied that the Lucknow-Kanpur Greenfield Elevated Expressway had caved in and said a small surface patch had slipped and been repaired within hours. The clarification followed a video circulating on social media on Sunday showing a damaged stretch near Unnao's Korari area. The clip was first posted by a local Samajwadi Party worker and was subsequently amplified by the party's media wing, prompting public concern.

The NHAI Project Director, Nakul Prakash Verma, told PTI that the issue was confined to the upper wearing coat, the top layer of the road surface, over a stretch of around 40 metres. He emphasised that a cave-in involves underlying soil settlement and sinking of the entire structure, which did not occur in this instance. The affected patch was fixed before five pm on Sunday and traffic resumed normally soon after.

Verma said such minor surface issues can appear occasionally on long bituminous or asphalt stretches and are rarer on concrete roads, and he described the repair as a routine technical fix rather than evidence of broader construction faults. There was no plan at present for a separate inquiry, according to his statement. Several social media users alleged corruption and questioned the use of public funds on the project, but those allegations have not been verified by any government body.

The expressway is a 63 km stretch that was inaugurated on July 13 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and it aims to cut travel time between Lucknow and Kanpur and relieve pressure on the older route. The project cost was around Rs 47 billion (Rs 47 bn). NHAI said it would continue routine monitoring and maintenance while treating the matter as a minor, resolved surface defect.

Infrastructure Urban

31 Jul 2026

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