The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched one of its toughest disciplinary actions in recent years after a portion of the Kanpur–Lucknow Expressway developed a major structural defect only months after construction. The authority has initiated proceedings against the concessionaire, engineering consultant, and several officials while ordering immediate repairs and suspending toll collection until the damaged stretch is completely restored.
The move follows the discovery of a nearly 300-metre slippage near kilometre 64 on the right-hand side of the 63-kilometre expressway. The defect came to light on July 26, 2026, raising serious concerns over construction quality, project supervision, and accountability in one of Uttar Pradesh’s key highway corridors.
According to NHAI, traffic movement has already been diverted around the affected location, allowing commuters to continue their journey without major disruption while repair work progresses.
NHAI Holds Concessionaire Responsible for Construction Deficiencies
In one of the strongest measures announced by the authority, NHAI has issued a Non-Performer Notice to concessionaire M/s PNC Infratech Ltd., proposing to classify the company as a non-performing contractor. If implemented, the decision could prevent the company from participating in future NHAI tenders.
The authority has also issued a show-cause notice seeking financial and administrative penalties against the company. These include a proposal to levy a penalty equal to two percent of the performance security, initiate debarment proceedings against the Head of Pavement, Highways division, and other responsible staff for up to three years, and downgrade the company’s Concessionaire Rating based on its Pavement Condition Index.
The downgrade would significantly affect the firm’s eligibility for future highway projects across the country.
NHAI has directed the concessionaire to repair the damaged section entirely at its own expense. The restoration cost has already reached nearly ₹3 crore, and the authority has clarified that taxpayers will not bear any financial burden arising from the corrective work.
Senior Officials Removed Over Alleged Negligence
The disciplinary action extends beyond the private contractor.
NHAI has removed several key officials associated with the project after identifying alleged failures in supervision and monitoring during construction.
Project Manager Vivek Kumar Gupta, Independent Engineer Team Leader Surendra Kumar, and Resident Engineer Yatendra Kumar have all been removed from the project. They have also been debarred from participating in any projects under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), NHAI, and the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for the next two years.
The authority has also repatriated the current Project Director, Nakul Prakash Verma, to his parent department. Meanwhile, charge sheets are being prepared against both the present Project Director and former Project Director Saurabh Chaurasia, under whose tenure a significant portion of the expressway was constructed.
According to NHAI, the action stems from alleged negligence in carrying out project responsibilities and ensuring quality standards during execution.
Consultant Firm Faces Debarment Proceedings
The engineering consultant responsible for supervising the project has also come under scrutiny.
NHAI has initiated proceedings to debar M/s Theme Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd., which served as the Independent Engineer for the expressway. The authority believes the consultant failed to identify or prevent deficiencies during construction despite being responsible for independent technical oversight.
The proposed debarment reflects NHAI’s effort to strengthen accountability not only among contractors but also among third-party quality supervisors.
IIT Kharagpur Experts to Investigate Technical Causes
Beyond disciplinary measures, NHAI has commissioned an independent technical investigation to determine exactly why the pavement failed.
A committee led by Professor K. S. Reddy from IIT Kharagpur has been tasked with conducting a detailed engineering assessment of the damaged stretch. The expert panel will examine the design, construction practices, materials used, drainage conditions, pavement structure, and other technical factors before recommending long-term corrective measures.
Simultaneously, NHAI has deployed Laser Profilometer technology to assess pavement conditions across the entire expressway. The advanced equipment will identify hidden surface irregularities and structural weaknesses that may not be visible during conventional inspections.
Officials believe the comprehensive assessment will help detect potential issues early and prevent similar failures elsewhere on the corridor.
Toll Collection Suspended Until Repairs Are Complete
In a significant relief for motorists, NHAI has suspended toll collection across the Kanpur–Lucknow Expressway until the damaged section is fully repaired and certified safe.
The authority has confirmed that commuters will not have to pay toll during the restoration period. Instead, the financial loss arising from toll suspension will be recovered from the concessionaire responsible for maintaining the project.
The decision underscores the authority’s position that road users should not pay for infrastructure that fails to meet expected quality standards.
Why This Action Matters
The Kanpur–Lucknow Expressway is an important transport corridor connecting two major cities in Uttar Pradesh and supports thousands of daily commuters, commercial vehicles, and freight traffic. Any structural failure on such a high-speed road immediately raises questions about engineering standards, construction oversight, and long-term maintenance practices.
Infrastructure experts have increasingly stressed that quality assurance must continue throughout the project lifecycle rather than ending after construction. Modern highways involve multiple stakeholders—including contractors, consultants, engineers, and government agencies—making accountability critical when defects emerge.
NHAI’s decision to simultaneously target the concessionaire, supervising consultant, and government officials signals a broader shift toward enforcing responsibility across every level of highway execution. The use of independent technical experts and advanced pavement assessment technology also indicates that future investigations may rely more heavily on scientific evidence than administrative reviews alone.
As repair work continues, the findings of the IIT Kharagpur expert committee are expected to play a crucial role in determining whether the damage resulted from construction deficiencies, design issues, material quality, drainage failures, or other engineering factors.
For now, NHAI maintains that restoring the expressway safely, ensuring accountability, and protecting public confidence in India’s expanding highway network remain its highest priorities.