Delhi-Dehradun Expressway potholes spur NHAI suspensions

A viral video showed large potholes on the newly inaugurated 212‑km, Rs 12,000 crore Delhi‑Dehradun Expressway less than three months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the six‑lane highway in April. The defects were reported near Hathi Karoda village in Shamli district, prompting criticism from opposition parties that accused the government of poor construction quality and corruption.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) blamed heavy rain, stagnant water and incomplete drainage work—delayed by local resistance and land disputes—for the cave‑in. In response, the NHAI suspended the authority engineer’s team leader and the contractor’s project manager, issued show‑cause notices to senior officials, restored the road, and began constructing an interim parallel drain while a permanent system is completed. The agency also sought an explanation from Indian Oil Corporation over a separate LPG‑tanker fire at an Uttar Pradesh toll plaza.

The incident has intensified political debate over infrastructure quality and accountability in India.