NHAI Takes Action Against PNC Infratech After Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway Damage
A 300-metre road slippage was reported near km 64 on the 63-km expressway on 26 July 2026. Following the incident, NHAI issued a non-performer notice to PNC Infratech Ltd., proposing to bar the company from bidding for future NHAI projects. The concessionaire has also been served a show-cause notice proposing a 2% penalty on performance security, downgrading its performance rating, and debarment of key personnel for up to three years. It has been directed to repair the damaged stretch at its own cost, currently estimated at around Rs. 3 crore.
NHAI has also taken disciplinary action against officials responsible for project supervision. The Project Manager, Team Leader and Resident Engineer have been removed from the project and debarred from participating in MoRTH, NHAI and NHIDCL projects for two years. The current Project Director has been repatriated to his parent department, while charge sheets are being issued against both the current and former Project Directors for alleged negligence.
The authority has also initiated debarment proceedings against Theme Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd., the Independent Engineer for the project.
To assess the overall condition of the expressway, NHAI will conduct a Laser Profilometer-based pavement survey and has appointed an expert committee led by Prof. K. S. Reddy of IIT Kharagpur to investigate the cause of the failure and recommend corrective measures.
Meanwhile, toll collection has been suspended until the damaged stretch is fully restored. NHAI said the revenue loss from the toll suspension will be recovered from the concessionaire.
Published on:
06 August 2026
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