A section of the newly inaugurated Lucknow–Kanpur Expressway in Uttar Pradesh experienced surface damage following heavy monsoon rainfall, just 13 days after the six-lane highway was inaugurated. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has clarified that the incident involved surface slippage and not a structural cave-in, adding that repair work was completed promptly and traffic has resumed without disruption.
The expressway, developed at an estimated cost of ₹4,700 crore, 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. The project is designed to improve connectivity between Lucknow and Kanpur while reducing travel time and easing traffic on the existing highway.
The affected stretch is located near Korari village in Unnao district, where videos showing damage to the road surface circulated on social media after continuous rainfall. The visuals raised concerns regarding the quality of construction and the durability of the newly opened infrastructure.
Responding to the reports, NHAI Project Director Nakul Prakash Verma stated that the incident was limited to the upper surface layer of the pavement over a stretch of approximately 40 metres. He clarified that the road had not suffered a cave-in or structural failure, explaining that a cave-in occurs when the underlying soil settles, causing the roadway to sink.
According to NHAI, the damage was confined to the surface layer, and repair work was completed before 5 p.m. on the same day. The authority confirmed that traffic movement on the expressway has continued normally following the repairs.
The incident also drew political attention, with opposition parties questioning the quality of construction. A video of the damaged section was first shared by a Samajwadi Party worker and later reposted by the party’s media cell, which raised concerns about construction standards on the newly commissioned highway.
Heavy rainfall during the monsoon often places newly constructed roads under immediate stress, making effective drainage and pavement performance important factors in long-term durability. While NHAI has maintained that the incident did not affect the structural integrity of the expressway, the occurrence has highlighted the importance of continuous monitoring and timely maintenance of newly operational highway infrastructure.
The authority is expected to continue monitoring the affected section to ensure safe and uninterrupted travel during the ongoing monsoon season.
