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Expressway Crumbles: Design Flaws Plague New Route
30 Aug
Summary
- Expressway slippages indicate design flaws, not construction defects.
- Affected sections need complete rebuilding from the ground up.
- Weak soil and poor drainage identified as primary causes.
Slippages on sections of the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway, reported soon after its inauguration, have been attributed to design flaws rather than construction defects, according to a high-ranking government official. These issues necessitate rebuilding affected stretches from the ground up, as preliminary repairs are deemed insufficient.
The official stressed the importance of vigilance during the design phase of projects, particularly those managed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). This model designates private developers as responsible for the project's operation and maintenance over a typical 15-year concession period.
A preliminary investigation conducted by a professor from IIT Kharagpur highlighted weak, highly plastic soil beneath parts of the expressway as a major contributor to the slippages. Such soil is prone to losing strength and deforming when exposed to moisture.
Poor drainage systems were also identified as a significant factor exacerbating the structural problems on the expressway. The central government is currently awaiting a comprehensive final report from experts assessing the expressway's structural integrity.
