Under scrutiny over a damaged expressway, this company just won Rs 3,483 crore in new projects

Infrastructure company PNC Infratech has secured two National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) highway projects worth around Rs 3,483 crore even as it faces scrutiny over construction issues on the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway and remains linked to an ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) bribery case.

According to a company disclosure, concession agreements for the two Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) projects were signed with NHAI on July 16, 2026.

The first project involves the construction of the Barabanki-Mustafabad four-lane highway on NH-927 in Uttar Pradesh at a bid cost of Rs 1,728 crore. The second project covers the Mustafabad-Biswan four-lane highway on the same national highway with a bid cost of Rs 1,755 crore.

Both projects are scheduled to be completed within 24 months from the appointed date and will remain under operation for 15 years after construction.

Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway under scrutiny

The fresh contracts come at a time when PNC Infratech is facing questions over the quality of work on the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway.

Within weeks of the expressway opening, sections reportedly developed cracks and other damage, prompting authorities to dig up and rebuild affected portions.

The NHAI has initiated action against the company over the reported quality issues. The company has also reportedly been declared a "non-performer", while the process for possible blacklisting is underway.

CBI probe linked to alleged bribery case

Apart from the expressway controversy, PNC Infratech has also figured in a CBI investigation registered in 2024 over an alleged Rs 10 lakh bribery case connected to highway-related work.

The investigating agency alleged that an NHAI General Manager-cum-Project Director accepted illegal gratification in connection with official work. According to the probe, individuals linked to PNC Infratech allegedly arranged the bribe to influence project-related approvals and other official decisions.

The CBI arrested the NHAI official and named four officials or employees associated with PNC Infratech as accused. Searches were also conducted at multiple locations as part of the investigation.

The company had said at the time that it was cooperating with the investigation and would follow the due legal process.

Fresh contracts raise questions

The latest contracts have drawn attention because they were awarded while the company remains under regulatory scrutiny.

The blacklisting process involves technical evaluation, issuance of notices, an opportunity for the contractor to present its defence and final approval by the competent authority.

The award of the two highway projects has raised questions over whether the ongoing scrutiny and previous allegations were taken into account before the contracts were awarded.