11 hrs ago
Heavy Rain Damages Ganga Expressway as Akhilesh Criticises UP Government
Heavy rain damaged a part of the Ganga Expressway in Unnao.
The road developed a hole about seven feet deep near Basiratganj toll plaza.
Officials blocked the damaged area and moved cars to another lane.
The maintenance company filled the hole with concrete and began checking other places.
Videos online showed water and other pits, but a claim about a shawl hiding the hole was not officially confirmed.
This was the second reported road-damage incident on the expressway in Unnao this monsoon.
Akhilesh Yadav criticized the Uttar Pradesh government.
He said the expressway was being poorly maintained and joked that it had become an “express waterway.”
Officials said they were monitoring the road to keep travel moving smoothly.
A section of the Ganga Expressway in Unnao developed a pit about seven feet deep after heavy rain.
The damaged stretch near Basiratganj toll plaza was barricaded, and traffic was diverted to another lane.
Patel Infrastructure and the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority began concrete repairs and inspected other spots.
Akhilesh Yadav mocked the expressway as an “express waterway” and accused the BJP government of corruption and poor maintenance.
The cave-in was the second reported road-damage incident on the Ganga Expressway in Unnao this monsoon.
- Who
- The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority, Patel Infrastructure, commuters, and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav were involved or quoted.
- What
- Heavy rain caused a section of the Ganga Expressway to cave in, prompting traffic diversion, repairs, and political criticism.
- Where
- Near Basiratganj toll plaza at the 423.6-kilometre mark of the Prayagraj-bound carriageway in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh.
- When
- The latest damage occurred late Monday night, August 31, and was reported on Tuesday, September 1; another incident occurred on August 17.
- Why
- Officials attributed the damage to heavy rain and began repairs to maintain safe and smooth traffic movement; Yadav criticized the government over expressway maintenance.
Opposition Criticism
Officials’ Response
Road quality and maintenance
Opposition Criticism
Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP government’s expressway development was marked by potholes and corruption, and criticized the condition of the road.
Officials’ Response
UPEIDA officials said repairs began immediately, concrete was used to fill the pits, and other locations were being checked.
Handling of the damaged stretch
Opposition Criticism
Videos circulating online showed waterlogging, pits, and a shawl reportedly placed over one pothole, raising concerns among commuters; the shawl claim was not independently confirmed.
Officials’ Response
Officials barricaded the affected area, diverted traffic about 300 metres before it, and said continuous monitoring would help keep travel smooth.
Key facts
- Damaged location
- Ganga Expressway near Basiratganj toll plaza, Unnao
- Depth of latest pit
- Approximately seven feet
- Road position
- 423.6-kilometre mark on the Prayagraj-bound carriageway
- Repair response
- The area was barricaded, traffic was diverted, and the pit was filled with concrete.
- Earlier incident
- A section near Sonik village caved in on August 17, with about 200 metres of roadside soil washed away.
- Expressway length
- Nearly 594 kilometres, connecting Meerut with Prayagraj
- Political reaction
- Akhilesh Yadav called it the country’s “first express waterway” and criticized the BJP government.
Quotes
UPEIDA senior official
Senior official of the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority
“We are continuously monitoring the expressway so that no such problem affects the movement of people and travel remains smooth”
CNBC TV 18
“The BJP is turning expressways into a drawing room of its corruption.”
CNBC TV 18
Sources
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