Akhilesh Yadav Alleges Expressway Damage Before Inauguration
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday claimed that a section of the under-construction Rs 4,700 crore Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway had caved in even before its official opening. In a post on social media platform X, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister asserted that the expressway was meant to enable people to travel quickly and without worry, and "not to spend the entire journey praying to God."
NHAI Rejects Allegations as Baseless
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) swiftly refuted the claim, stating that no such incident had occurred. An NHAI official described the allegation as "completely baseless and misleading," asserting that the expressway is structurally sound and all construction work has been carried out as per approved standards. The authority added that the project is in its final stages and will be opened to the public after thorough safety inspections.
Details of the Expressway Project
The Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway, a 63-kilometer, six-lane access-controlled highway, is being developed at a cost of approximately Rs 4,700 crore. It aims to reduce travel time between the two cities from the current 2-3 hours to under an hour. The project is a key infrastructure initiative of the Uttar Pradesh government and is expected to boost economic activity in the region.
Political Reactions and Safety Concerns
Yadav's remarks have sparked a political row, with the Samajwadi Party demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged damage. Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said, "If the expressway has caved in even before its inauguration, it raises serious questions about the quality of construction and the safety of future commuters." The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh dismissed the allegations as a desperate attempt to gain political mileage. State minister Sidharth Nath Singh stated, "The expressway is being built with world-class standards. Such baseless allegations only aim to undermine the state's development achievements."
NHAI's Assurance and Next Steps
NHAI has assured the public that the expressway will be opened only after all safety parameters are met. The authority is expected to release a detailed statement with photographic evidence to counter the allegations. Meanwhile, the project's completion timeline remains on track, with the expressway likely to be inaugurated in the coming weeks.
