The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would like to inform that a road surface cave-in observed at Km 55+480 on the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor on 1 July 2026 was the result of localized water stagnation following rainfall previous night, coupled with constraints in commissioning the permanent cross-drainage system at the location.

During routine route patrolling in the early hours of 1 July 2026, the project team detected the affected stretch and immediately initiated restoration works. The damaged portion was repaired on priority, ensuring safe and uninterrupted movement of traffic.

The balancing culvert constructed at Km 55+480 was designed to facilitate cross-drainage by conveying rainwater across the median and safely away from the carriageway. However, the culvert could not be connected and commissioned because of sustained resistance from local residents, who have not permitted integration of the drainage system and have instead been using the culvert opening as a vehicular crossing. Consequently, the intended cross-drainage arrangement has remained non-operational, leading to accumulation of rainwater along the carriageway during the heavy rainfall and the subsequent road surface cave-in.

In addition, permanent slope protection and chute drain works at the location remain pending due to an ongoing land-related arbitration dispute. Despite repeated efforts by NHAI, the concerned landowners have not permitted execution of these works. As a result, the permanent protection measures envisaged under the project design could not be completed at the site.

To address the situation, NHAI has initiated construction of an interim parallel drain of a length of approximately 1.5 kilometres. The drainage gradient is being redesigned to safely convey rainwater up to the entry/exit location at Km 56+500, pending commissioning of the balancing culvert.

NHAI is continuously monitoring the affected location and has deployed all necessary resources to ensure smooth and safe movement of traffic. The pending permanent slope protection and chute drain works will be taken up immediately upon resolution of the land-related dispute and availability of an unhindered work front.

NHAI remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of highway safety, resilience and operational efficiency. Continuous monitoring, timely preventive maintenance and prompt response to weather-related incidents remain integral to NHAI's asset management framework.

Km 55 after restoration — Gogwan Jalalpur, Delhi–Dehradun Expressway

 

Parallel drain between main carriageway and loop (~1.5 km)

 

Drain leading to rainwater disposal at entry/exit, Km 56+500

 

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GDH/DS

 

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