India’s rapid expansion of its highway network is facing renewed scrutiny after several recently inaugurated and upgraded road projects reported cracks, potholes, subsidence, landslides and other forms of damage.
The 63-km Lucknow–Kanpur Expressway, inaugurated on July 13 by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, developed cracks within 13 days. Heavy rain damaged the asphalt and caused surface subsidence, prompting the suspension of toll collection and action against the contractor and project engineers.
“What’s the point of suspending toll or calling in IIT Kharagpur for a probe to determine the failure of this project when our safety is jeopardised every single day?” an angry, harassed commuter asked.
Similar concerns have emerged elsewhere. A landslide disrupted traffic on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway in August, while a large crater reportedly appeared on the Ganga Expressway just months after its inauguration. The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway has also faced complaints over potholes and cave-ins.
“This is the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, inaugurated by you [on 19 April] … It took around five years to build, yet it hasn’t even seen its first monsoon. Look at the pathetic condition. People are forced to stand in the middle of the expressway to warn speeding vehicles about these massive potholes, which could easily turn fatal. What kind of roads are private contractors building despite collecting such high tolls from the public?” a commuter wrote on X.
The Char Dham road project has also attracted criticism over landslide risks, while the Mumbai–Delhi Expressway has reported pavement distress and uneven surfaces. The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link has faced scrutiny following reports of cracks near its Ulwe exit.
In Kerala, motorists have raised concerns over deteriorating service roads along the Edappally–Aroor NH 66 corridor.
“The agency that collects tolls has not undertaken repairs, despite massive traffic snarls being caused by potholes that riddle the main carriageway and the choppy expansion joints on the Vyttila railway overbridge. Potholes abound even atop the Palarivattom flyover,” a senior traffic police officer said.
The repeated incidents have raised questions over construction standards, project monitoring and accountability. Gadkari has said, “If the issue is on my road, I won’t spare the contractor or the officer. If the mistake is bona fide, I forgive. If it’s fraudulent, I punish.”
He also acknowledged the wider road-safety challenge: “Every year, we have 4 lakh 80,000 road accidents, and 1 lakh 80,000 deaths, probably the highest in the world.”
The continuing failures have renewed debate over whether rapid highway expansion is being matched by adequate quality control, safety checks and accountability.
Source: National Herald
