The Delhi-Dehradun expressway, constructed for Rs 12,000 crore, was built to ensure a smooth journey between the cities in just two hours.
The unexpected pit stop has sparked outrage, with the Congress alleging massive corruption in the project.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which quickly repaired the stretch, said the road caved in due to water stagnation following heavy rain.
The NHAI claimed a permanent cross-drainage system could not be commissioned due to resistance from local residents.
The AAP also posted the video of the potholes, along with a sharp swipe at the Modi government.
The Delhi-Dehradun expressway, constructed for Rs 12,000 crore, was built to ensure a smooth journey between the cities in just two hours. However, the expressway has now come under scrutiny after a viral video showed two large potholes on the highway that has not even completed three months in service.
The unexpected pit stop has sparked outrage, with the Congress alleging massive corruption in the project. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which quickly repaired the stretch, said the road caved in due to water stagnation following heavy rain. The NHAI claimed a permanent cross-drainage system could not be commissioned due to resistance from local residents.
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The incident blew up after a motorist shared a video on social media showing the massive gaping potholes on the expressway near Hathi Karoda village in Shamli. The 212-km expressway was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14.
In the video, the motorist claims that "four to five vehicles lost their balance" right in front of him due to the potholes. He further says that at least two cars suffered bent alloy wheels after accidentally hitting the potholes. The video then goes on to show the damaged alloy wheel of a vehicle.
The six-lane expressway, which has brought the hills of Dehradun closer to Delhi, has been witnessing a massive rush, especially during the weekends.
It has cut travel time from the national capital to the 'Gateway of Uttarakhand' from 6 hours to just around 2 hours. The major attraction is a 12 km stretch through the Rajaji National Park, making it Asia's longest elevated wildlife corridor. NHAI officials at the repaired stretch on Delhi-Dehradun highway
NHAI RESPONDS TO CONTROVERSY
Later in the day, as the outrage gained momentum, a patchwork was done on the damaged stretch. In a detailed response, the NHAI attempted to shift blame for the incident.
"The balancing culvert at the location, designed to safely convey rainwater across the carriageway, could not be commissioned due to resistance from local residents," the statement said. It further said that the locals have been using the culvert opening as a vehicular crossing.
"In addition, permanent slope protection and chute drain works remain pending owing to an ongoing land-related dispute," the NHAI said. The highways authority said it was constructing a parallel drain as an interim measure.
'WHAT MORE PROOF OF CORRUPTION DO WE NEED?'
The expressway was five years in the making. Understandably, with potholes developing just 79 days after the expressway's inauguration, widespread public anger as well as ridicule has swamped social media.
An entrepreneur, Manu, questioned the quality of construction in a post addressed to PM Modi. "It took around 5 years to build, yet it hasn't even seen its first monsoon. Look at the pathetic condition," he tweeted.
"Imagine paying Rs 650 as toll tax while buying 20% ethanol petrol at Rs 110, yet there is no guarantee of life," another user tweeted, referring to the controversy over E20 fuel.
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The opposition, meanwhile, pulled all the stops to accuse the BJP government of corruption. The Congress alleged that the poor quality of construction suggested rampant corruption and embezzlement of funds.
"What more proof of corruption do we need? It is open loot and plunder in every department," Congress spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed tweeted.
The AAP also posted the video of the potholes, along with a sharp swipe at the Modi government.
"Rs 12,000 crore was spent to build the Delhi-Dehradun expressway. But within a short time, the Modi government's development came to light," the AAP posted on X.
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