The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has ordered a comprehensive technical audit of the recently opened Delhi–Dehradun Expressway after continuous monsoon rainfall exposed signs of structural distress at multiple locations. The assessment aims to evaluate the condition of the expressway and determine whether remedial measures are required to ensure long-term safety and durability.
The latest concerns have been reported near Baburi in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district, where the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway intersects with NH-709 and the Panipat–Khatima Highway. Following three days of heavy rainfall, incidents of soil subsidence, cracks in cement embankments, erosion, and damage along ramps and adjoining service roads were observed.
In response, the NHAI’s Baghpat Project Implementation Unit has constituted a multi-disciplinary technical team to inspect the affected sections. The investigation will include core testing at 23 locations to examine the quality, composition, and strength of the pavement layers and embankments. Engineers will also assess the road edges, centre alignment, and overall structural integrity to identify the causes of the observed distress.
The inspection will focus on evaluating whether rainfall-induced erosion, inadequate drainage, or construction-related issues contributed to the damage. Erosion has been reported along service lanes leading towards Butrada, while retaining structures designed to stabilise embankments have developed cracks and loosened at several locations. Waterlogging inside underpasses and damage to electric poles along service roads have further highlighted the impact of persistent rainfall on the corridor.
This is not the first instance of quality concerns on the ₹12,000 crore expressway. Earlier, road users had reported potholes and damaged shoulders at several locations, raising questions about pavement performance despite the corridor’s recent opening.
The technical audit is expected to provide a detailed assessment of the expressway’s structural condition and recommend corrective measures wherever deficiencies are identified. Core testing will help verify whether the construction layers meet the required engineering specifications and whether repairs or strengthening measures are necessary.
The Delhi–Dehradun Expressway is a strategically important highway project designed to improve connectivity between the National Capital Region and Uttarakhand. The findings of the NHAI investigation are expected to guide maintenance and rehabilitation measures, ensuring the corridor remains safe and reliable during future monsoon seasons and throughout its operational life.
