The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated a multi-pronged disciplinary and financial response against the concessionaire, independent engineer, and several project officials following a pavement failure on the Kanpur–Lucknow Expressway.
The incident in question involves a slippage spanning approximately 300 metres, observed near kilometre 64 on the right-hand side of the 63-km expressway on July 26, 2026. Restoration works were initiated promptly, and traffic at the site has since been diverted and is moving without disruption. NHAI simultaneously ordered a technical assessment of the affected location while setting in motion disciplinary proceedings against all stakeholders found responsible.
Non-Performer Notice to PNC Infratech
The most consequential action targets the concessionaire. NHAI has issued a notice proposing the declaration of M/s PNC Infratech Ltd. as a non-performer — a designation that would render the firm ineligible to participate in bidding for future NHAI projects. The implications of this classification extend beyond the current project and could affect the company's standing across the national highways programme.
Alongside the non-performer notice, a show cause notice has been served on the concessionaire covering three specific measures: a levy of 2% of the performance security as a financial penalty; initiation of debarment proceedings for up to three years against the Head of Pavement/Highways and other responsible staff; and a downgrade of the concessionaire's rating under the Pavement Condition Index, which would adversely affect its eligibility for future NHAI projects.
On the physical remediation side, the concessionaire has been directed to carry out complete rectification of the affected stretch entirely at its own expense, with costs estimated at approximately Rs. 3 crore at present, and with no financial liability to be borne by NHAI.
Officials Removed, Debarred, and Charge-Sheeted
NHAI has also moved against individual officials for lapses in project monitoring and supervision. Three have been removed from the project outright — Vivek Kumar Gupta, Project Manager of the construction agency; Surendra Kumar, Team Leader of the Independent Engineer; and Yatendra Kumar, Resident Engineer. All three have additionally been debarred for a period of two years from participating in any projects under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NHAI, and the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.
The present Project Director, Nakul Prakash Verma, has been repatriated to his parent department. Charge sheets are being issued against both Verma and former Project Director Saurabh Chaurasia — during whose tenure substantial construction on the project took place — for alleged negligence in the discharge of their responsibilities. The action against the former project director is notable, as it signals NHAI's intent to hold accountable those whose oversight failures may have predated the visible failure.
Independent Engineer Faces Debarment
The independent engineer for the project, M/s Theme Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd., is also facing action. NHAI is issuing a notice proposing the firm's debarment from participation in future NHAI projects. Independent engineers are engaged to provide third-party oversight of construction quality, and the proposed debarment reflects NHAI's view that the firm did not adequately fulfil that function.
Laser-Based Assessment and IIT Kharagpur Investigation
On the technical front, NHAI has initiated two parallel processes to understand the extent of the damage and its underlying causes. Laser Profilometer technology is being deployed to conduct a detailed assessment of pavement conditions across the full project stretch — a method that provides precise surface data across long road sections.
Separately, a panel of pavement experts led by Professor K. S. Reddy of IIT Kharagpur has been engaged to carry out an in-depth technical investigation. The expert committee is tasked with examining the root causes of the failure and recommending suitable corrective measures. The findings of this investigation are expected to inform both the remediation plan and any further accountability measures.
Toll Collection Suspended Until Rectification
In a measure affecting commuters directly, toll collection on the expressway has been suspended for the duration of the rectification period. No toll will be charged to users of the expressway until the affected stretch is fully restored. Any revenue forgone during this period is to be recovered from the concessionaire, ensuring the financial burden of the disruption does not fall on NHAI or the public exchequer.