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The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken disciplinary action after a 300-metre pavement slippage was detected on the Kanpur–Lucknow Expressway on 26 July 2026. The authority has proposed declaring PNC Infratech Ltd. a non-performer, suspended toll collection and directed the concessionaire to repair the damaged stretch at its own cost, estimated at 3 crore. Several project officials have been removed and debarred, while an expert team led by Professor K.S. Reddy of IIT Kharagpur will investigate the incident using advanced pavement assessment technologies.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken stringent action against the concessionaire, independent engineer and project officials following the detection of a 300-metre pavement slippage on the Kanpur–Lucknow Expressway. The incident occurred near km 64 of the 63-km expressway on 26 July 2026, prompting immediate restoration works and a comprehensive technical review of the affected section.
According to NHAI, traffic has been diverted around the damaged stretch and is currently moving without disruption while repair works are underway. Simultaneously, the authority has initiated disciplinary proceedings against all stakeholders found responsible for deficiencies in project execution, supervision and quality monitoring.
The authority has issued a notice proposing to classify the concessionaire, M/s PNC Infratech Ltd., as a non-performer, which would make the company ineligible to bid for future NHAI projects. A separate show-cause notice proposes a penalty equivalent to 2% of the performance security, debarment of key technical personnel for up to three years, and a downgrade in the concessionaire's performance rating. The company has also been instructed to undertake complete restoration of the affected stretch at its own expense, currently estimated at around INR3 crore, without any financial liability on NHAI.
NHAI has also acted against officials associated with the project. Project Manager Vivek Kumar Gupta, Independent Engineer Team Leader Surendra Kumar, and Resident Engineer Yatendra Kumar have been removed from the project and barred from participating in projects undertaken by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), NHAI and the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for a period of two years.
In addition, the present Project Director Nakul Prakash Verma has been repatriated to his parent department, while charge sheets are being issued against both the current Project Director and former Project Director Saurabh Chaurasia for alleged negligence during project execution and supervision.
The authority has also initiated proceedings to debar M/s Theme Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd., the independent engineering consultant for the project, from participating in future NHAI assignments.
As part of the corrective measures, NHAI will undertake a Laser Profilometer-based assessment to evaluate pavement conditions across the entire expressway. A technical investigation led by Professor K.S. Reddy of IIT Kharagpur has also been commissioned to identify the root cause of the pavement failure and recommend long-term corrective measures.
Until restoration works are fully completed, toll collection on the expressway has been suspended, with NHAI stating that the revenue loss during the suspension period will be recovered from the concessionaire. The authority said the actions reflect its commitment to maintaining high standards of quality, safety and accountability in the development and maintenance of India's national highway network.
Source: PIB
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