Fresh soil erosion hits Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway at multiple spots

The Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway has suffered fresh soil erosion and road damage at multiple locations, barely a month after the first major failures were reported on July 26. At Km 69.8 near Bandukheda village, soil beneath the road shoulder has been washed away over a stretch of nearly 10 metres, creating a large cavity directly under the pavement and causing a section of the road to tilt slightly. Additional damage has occurred at the Chiraiya Nala culvert, where protection work has eroded, and the crash barrier has tilted. A 20-metre section of the Lucknow-bound carriageway between Km 65.4 and Km 65.5 has also sunk, Hindustan Times reports.

The ABP Live report adds that the asphalt layer has peeled off at around half a dozen locations between Sainik School and the Sarojininagar industrial area, exposing loose stones and creating potholes. Large cracks have appeared in the divider near Shivpura toll plaza, and a section of the ramp has started sinking. The problems have emerged within about a month of construction, raising concerns over construction quality and durability.

Repair work is underway at the affected spots, but traffic has not yet been restored on a 300-metre repaired stretch as the bituminous surface is still drying. NHAI chief general manager Gautam Vishal told Hindustan Times that all repairs will be done by the contractor and further comments will be made once the report of IIT Kharagpur is received.