NHAI initiates action against PNC Infratech, officials over Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway slippage

New Delhi: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated disciplinary and punitive action against the concessionaire, independent engineer and officials responsible for lapses in the construction and supervision of the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway after a section of the highway developed a 300-metre-long slippage last month.

The highway authority has also begun restoration work on the affected stretch, suspended toll collection on the expressway until repairs are completed and ordered a comprehensive technical investigation into the incident.

According to an official statement issued on Tuesday, the slippage occurred on a nearly 300-metre stretch near km 64 on the right-hand side of the 63-km expressway on July 26. NHAI said traffic has been diverted at the affected location and is currently moving smoothly.

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PNC Infratech faces proposed non-performer status

NHAI has issued a notice proposing to declare the concessionaire, PNC Infratech Limited, as a non-performer, a move that would make the company ineligible to participate in future NHAI bids.

The authority has also served a show-cause notice proposing a penalty equivalent to 2 percent of the performance security, initiation of debarment proceedings for up to three years against the Head of Pavement/Highways and other responsible personnel, and a downgrade of the company's Concessionaire Rating (Pavement Condition Index), which could adversely affect its eligibility for future highway projects.

In addition, the concessionaire has been directed to rectify the damaged stretch entirely at its own cost, currently estimated at around Rs 3 crore, without any financial burden on NHAI.

Officials removed, disciplinary proceedings initiated

NHAI has also taken action against officials associated with project monitoring and supervision. Project Manager Vivek Kumar Gupta of the construction agency, Team Leader Surendra Kumar and Resident Engineer Yatendra Kumar of the Independent Engineer have been removed from the project and debarred from participating in projects of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), NHAI and the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for two years.

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 the execution of the project.

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Independent Engineer also faces debarment

NHAI has issued a notice proposing the debarment of Theme Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd., the Independent Engineer for the project, from participating in future NHAI projects.

IIT Kharagpur experts to investigate

As part of the corrective measures, NHAI said it will deploy Laser Profilometer technology to assess the pavement condition across the entire project stretch.

The authority has also constituted an expert committee led by Professor K. S. Reddy of IIT Kharagpur to conduct a detailed technical investigation into the causes of the pavement failure and recommend corrective measures.

Toll collection suspended

NHAI said toll collection on the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway has been suspended until the affected section is fully restored. The authority added that commuters will not be charged toll during this period and the resulting revenue loss will be recovered from the concessionaire.

The highway authority said the actions underscore its commitment to maintaining high standards of quality, safety and accountability in the development and maintenance of national highway infrastructure.

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