A viral video showed two large potholes on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway. NEW DELHI: NHAI has issued show-cause notices to its project director, a contractor and authority engineer after a video of a section of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway caving in went viral. It said the incident was caused due to “water accumulation”, as the permanent cross-drainage system at the site could not be constructed due to sustained resistance from locals.Officials said the project director has been instructed to fix responsibility for the incident and the authority engineer (AE) has been asked to explain negligence in services. “The team leader of AE (consulting firm) has been suspended. The highway contractor has been asked to explain why it should not be declared as non-performer and debarred from NHAI’s future projects. The contractor’s project manager has been suspended as well,” said an official.On X, NHAI regretted the inconvenience caused to commuters due to the incident following rainfall. “The section has been restored and opened for regular traffic movement,” the authority said.A senior NHAI functionary told TOI that the cave in was spotted by their patrol team near Kheda Mastan village in UP’s Baghpat district around 6.30 am Wednesday. “The route patrolling team observed that the caving in of the road surface happened due to continuous overnight heavy rains,” he said.He added that locals were not allowing the execution of slope protection works because of an ongoing arbitration dispute.TOI has learnt that though locals did not oppose construction of the main expressway and ramps, they didn’t allow protection works in the median portion at two locations. The matter was raised with UP govt, and its officials visited the site four times, but the issue is yet to be resolved.The authority said the incident occurred as the permanent cross-drainage system at the location could not be commissioned due to sustained resistance from local residents, who did not permit integration of the balancing culvert and instead used the culvert opening as a vehicular crossing.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUnesco Warns Pakistan Over ‘Reconstructions’ At Taxila, Threatens Danger ListNHAI Under Fire As Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Develops Major Potholes 3 Months After Inauguration’Insult To Shivaji, Bhagat Singh’: CJP Founder Dipke Demands ACP’s Suspension Over Library RowMission Aagaman Explained: How Vikram-1 Could Make Indian Space History60-Year-Old Mumbai Man Dies After Falling Into Open Manhole, 4 BMC Officials SuspendedIndian Navy’s INS Trikand Thwarts Piracy Attempt On India-Bound Vessel In Gulf Of AdenWest Bengal Passes Tough Public Order Laws: What The Recovery And Preventive Detention Bills MeanJapan PM Takaichi In India: Top 10 Items On The Agenda As She Meets PM Modi54 Years of the Shimla Agreement: Why India Says Pakistan Violated the Spirit of the PactChina’s Proposed Bangladesh Corridor Could Open A New Strategic Route Into The Indian Ocean123Photostories5 superfoods that reduce seasonal hair fall naturally5 reasons devotees cry for Krishna during moments of deep devotionAlia Bhatt redefines airport glam with heritage Gucci tote and classic Frankie Shop layering7 viral techniques people are using to keep mice away without poisonJuly gardening guide: 7 flowers, fruits, and vegetables to plant in the UK”You are putting dead food into a living body”: Sadhguru on impact of eating old bread; 6 healthy desi breakfast alternativesLove quote of the day by Paulo Coelho: ‘Love isn’t just a feeling, it’s an art’Psychology says women who constantly say “Sorry” often have these 8 personality traitsPsychology says you don’t get what you want in life, but what you believe: Expert explainsFrom Oprah Winfrey to Kurt Russell: Celebrity couples who skipped marriage and stayed together123Hot PicksTrump tariffsNHL TradeEPF Scheme 2026NFL TradeIncome Tax Return FilingMumbai rainNovak DjokovicMicrosoft layoffsIndia Japal TradeTop TrendingCapgemini Bengaluru DaycareDelhi Hit and RunBengaluru Triple MurderFIFA World Cup 2026EPF Scheme 2026US Iran warBy-election datesConnor McDavidManish TewariLando Norris
NEW DELHI: NHAI has issued show-cause notices to its project director, a contractor and authority engineer after a video of a section of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway caving in went viral. It said the incident was caused due to “water accumulation”, as the permanent cross-drainage system at the site could not be constructed due to sustained resistance from locals.Officials said the project director has been instructed to fix responsibility for the incident and the authority engineer (AE) has been asked to explain negligence in services. “The team leader of AE (consulting firm) has been suspended. The highway contractor has been asked to explain why it should not be declared as non-performer and debarred from NHAI’s future projects. The contractor’s project manager has been suspended as well,” said an official.On X, NHAI regretted the inconvenience caused to commuters due to the incident following rainfall. “The section has been restored and opened for regular traffic movement,” the authority said.A senior NHAI functionary told TOI that the cave in was spotted by their patrol team near Kheda Mastan village in UP’s Baghpat district around 6.30 am Wednesday. “The route patrolling team observed that the caving in of the road surface happened due to continuous overnight heavy rains,” he said.He added that locals were not allowing the execution of slope protection works because of an ongoing arbitration dispute.TOI has learnt that though locals did not oppose construction of the main expressway and ramps, they didn’t allow protection works in the median portion at two locations. The matter was raised with UP govt, and its officials visited the site four times, but the issue is yet to be resolved.The authority said the incident occurred as the permanent cross-drainage system at the location could not be commissioned due to sustained resistance from local residents, who did not permit integration of the balancing culvert and instead used the culvert opening as a vehicular crossing.