UP's ₹4,200-Crore Expressway Under Scrutiny After Cracks Surface Less Than Two Weeks Later

A section of the ₹4,200-crore Lucknow-Kanpur Greenfield National Elevated Expressway has developed cracks and partially caved in just 12 days after its inauguration, raising concerns over the quality of construction and triggering political criticism in Uttar Pradesh. The expressway, built at a cost of ₹4,200 crore, was inaugurated on July 13 by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.

The project was expected to significantly improve connectivity between Lucknow and Kanpur by reducing travel time and easing congestion on one of the state's busiest corridors. However, following heavy rainfall, a portion of the newly opened expressway near Korari village in Unnao district reportedly developed cracks, with a section of the road collapsing. Visuals circulating on social media showed visible damage to the carriageway, prompting questions about the durability of the newly constructed infrastructure.

Samajwadi Party leader Madhusudan Yadav shared a video of the damaged stretch on social media, claiming that a five-to-seven-metre section of the expressway had caved in near Korari village. The footage quickly went viral, drawing criticism from opposition leaders, who questioned the quality of construction and sought accountability from the authorities responsible for the project. The incident has intensified the political debate over infrastructure development in the state.

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Opposition parties alleged that the damage reflected poor construction standards and inadequate monitoring despite the project's high cost. They demanded an independent inquiry into the reasons behind the collapse and urged the government to ensure that public funds were not compromised through substandard work. Authorities have not yet issued a detailed explanation for the damage, though preliminary reports suggest that heavy rainfall may have contributed to the formation of cracks and the collapse of a section of the road.

Engineering experts are expected to inspect the affected area to determine whether the failure resulted from drainage issues, soil settlement, construction defects or other technical factors. Infrastructure projects of this scale typically undergo multiple stages of quality checks before being opened to the public. The appearance of cracks within days of inauguration has therefore raised concerns among commuters and local residents about the long-term safety and reliability of the expressway.

Experts note that while extreme weather can affect road infrastructure, newly built expressways are generally designed to withstand seasonal rainfall if construction and drainage systems meet required standards. The Lucknow-Kanpur Greenfield National Elevated Expressway is one of Uttar Pradesh's major transport projects, aimed at improving regional connectivity and supporting economic activity by providing faster movement of passengers and goods. The elevated corridor was also expected to reduce traffic pressure on the existing highway and improve travel efficiency between the two cities.

Following the incident, officials are likely to carry out a technical assessment of the damaged stretch and undertake repair work before allowing unrestricted movement in the affected area. Depending on the findings, authorities may also review the construction process and examine whether contractual obligations and quality standards were fully complied with. The development has once again highlighted the importance of stringent quality control and regular inspections in large public infrastructure projects. As investigations continue, attention will remain focused on the cause of the damage and the corrective measures taken to ensure the expressway's structural safety and restore public confidence in the project.

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