India's NHAI suspends officials after expressway sections collapse in first monsoon rains

Heavy rain in early July caused sections of two major Indian expressways to give way. Near the Shaamli interchange on the Delhi‑Dehradun Expressway, a roadway collapsed, prompting the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to suspend the project manager, team leader and other officials and issue show‑cause notices to contractors. The agency said temporary repairs restored traffic, but the incident raised concerns about drainage and construction quality.

A similar failure occurred on the newly opened Delhi‑Mumbai Expressway between Kota and Sawai Madhopur, where deep potholes and broken pavement were reported. Following viral videos of the damage, NHAI also suspended the construction firm responsible and appointed a second contractor to carry out repairs. Authorities warned motorists to exercise caution while remedial work proceeds.

Both incidents highlight vulnerabilities in newly built, high‑cost highway projects and have led to calls for stricter oversight of drainage systems and construction standards.