Lucknow–Kanpur Expressway Section Caves In Just 12 Days After Inauguration

A section of the Lucknow–Kanpur Expressway in Uttar Pradesh caved in following heavy rainfall, raising concerns over the quality of construction on the newly inaugurated highway. The incident occurred near Korari village in Unnao district, where nearly 30 feet of the road reportedly collapsed.

The six-lane expressway, built at an estimated cost of ₹4,200 crore, was inaugurated on July 13, 2026, by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. The road cave-in took place just 12 days after the inauguration, triggering widespread discussion and criticism.

After videos of the damaged stretch circulated on social media, opposition leaders questioned the quality of construction and alleged possible irregularities in the project. The incident has sparked debate over infrastructure standards and project execution.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said the damaged section was repaired promptly and that traffic on the expressway was restored without major disruption. Officials attributed the damage to heavy rainfall and stated that necessary corrective measures had been taken.

Despite the restoration, the incident has raised questions about the durability of newly built infrastructure and whether additional technical reviews or inspections are required. Authorities are expected to examine the cause of the collapse to determine whether it resulted from extreme weather, engineering issues, or other factors. The findings of any official investigation are awaited.