Advertisement
The Gulf conflict has disrupted global supply chains, pushed...
REITs have changed the way commercial real estate is owned a...
What does it take to preserve a real estate legacy while bui...
What really powers the cloud? Behind every Google search, A...
A lot of what defines a home isn’t visible at handover. I...
Traffic on the newly opened Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway has risen sharply after toll collection was suspended amid repair work on damaged sections. The increase in vehicle movement has added to operational difficulties for agencies carrying out rectification work on the 63-km corridor. NHAI suspended tolling after defects, including road damage and slippage, were reported soon after the expressway opened. Authorities are now managing traffic while repairs continue and technical assessments are undertaken to establish the causes of the damage and determine the appropriate long-term corrective measures.
Traffic movement on the Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway has increased significantly following the suspension of toll collection, creating an additional challenge for agencies working to repair damaged portions of the newly commissioned corridor. The rise in traffic comes as NHAI continues to address defects reported on the expressway shortly after its opening.
The 63-km expressway provides a faster road connection between Lucknow and Kanpur and was expected to improve movement between the two major Uttar Pradesh cities. However, sections of the corridor subsequently developed damage, prompting the authorities to suspend toll collection while remedial work is undertaken.
With motorists no longer required to pay the applicable toll, the expressway has attracted more vehicles. The resulting increase in traffic has complicated the movement of repair teams and equipment at locations where work is required, making it harder to maintain uninterrupted construction activity alongside regular vehicle movement.
The higher traffic load has also prompted authorities to regulate certain categories of vehicles. Restrictions on heavy vehicles are being used as a traffic-management measure while repair activity continues, particularly on sections where additional loading could interfere with ongoing rectification work.
The damage emerged only weeks after the expressway became operational, leading to questions about construction quality and the durability of the road works. NHAI has initiated measures to identify the reasons behind the defects and has taken action in relation to the agencies and officials associated with the project.
A technical investigation has also been proposed to examine the condition of the road and establish the underlying causes of the failures. An expert assessment is expected to help determine whether the problems are linked to construction, materials, ground conditions or other technical factors before a long-term solution is finalised.
The repair process itself has attracted public attention after videos showing unusual methods being used at damaged locations circulated online. One such episode involved the deployment of electric fans to help dry a section being worked on, prompting criticism and subsequently drawing greater scrutiny to the repair arrangements.
The toll suspension means that motorists can continue using the expressway without paying the regular user charge while the corrective work is carried out. At the same time, the additional traffic has increased the importance of completing repairs without compromising road-user safety.
For NHAI, the immediate priority is to restore the affected stretches and establish why defects appeared so soon after commissioning. The findings of the technical assessment will be important in deciding whether local repairs are sufficient or whether more extensive intervention is required.
The episode also highlights the importance of quality control and post-construction monitoring for major road projects. As the Lucknow-Kanpur corridor handles increased traffic during the toll-free period, the progress of repairs and outcome of the technical investigation will determine when normal operations, including toll collection, can resume.
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
