The Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway is facing another serious setback, with fresh soil erosion beneath the carriageway raising the risk of a major road collapse near Bandukheda. The latest damage comes nearly a month after the first major failures were reported on July 26, putting a question mark over the expressway’s much-publicised claims of world-class construction.
On the Kanpur-Lucknow carriageway at Km 69.8 near Bandukheda village, soil beneath the road shoulder has been washed away over a stretch of nearly 10 metres, extending about 10 feet inward beneath the road. A large cavity is now visible directly beneath the pavement, while a portion of the road has also tilted slightly. Continued rainfall could worsen the erosion and potentially cause a substantial section of the carriageway to sink.
The erosion has also damaged a section of the drain and the area beneath the crash barrier, increasing concerns about the stability of the roadside protection structure. Repair work was underway at the affected portion on Saturday.
Protection at Chiraiya Nala gives way
Fresh damage has also been reported at the Chiraiya Nala culvert around Km 30, where soil forming part of the protection work beneath the structure has eroded. Soil near the crash barrier had earlier been washed away and was subsequently refilled to prevent the barrier from collapsing. However, the barrier has tilted towards the eroded side and workers were engaged in rectification work till Saturday evening.
A visible gap remains beneath the protection work under the culvert, indicating that restoration of the eroded portion is yet to be completed.
{{/usCountry}}A visible gap remains beneath the protection work under the culvert, indicating that restoration of the eroded portion is yet to be completed.
{{/usCountry}}Road sinks at one more location
Meanwhile, the Lucknow-bound carriageway between Km 65.4 and Km 65.5 has sunk over nearly 20 metres. The patrolling team of the executing agency promptly began repair work and operations continued till Saturday evening.
At around Km 67, a previously damaged stretch of nearly 300 metres, reported on Friday, was repaired by Saturday. Traffic, however, had not been restored on the repaired section as the freshly laid bituminous surface was yet to dry.
The repeated erosion, sinking and patchwork repairs since July 26 have raised fresh questions over the quality of drainage, embankment protection and construction of the expressway, particularly as several vulnerable stretches continue to show signs of distress during the monsoon.
NHAI chief general manager and regional officer Gautam Vishal said that all the repairs will be performed by the contractor and further comments will be made once the report of IIT Khadakpur is received by the NHAI.