Ganga Expressway stretch sinks in Unnao after rain, repair work begins

A portion of the recently inaugurated Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district has developed subsidence following rainfall, with soil along the edge of the carriageway getting washed away and authorities beginning repair work at the affected site.

The damage was detected between kilometre markers 421 and 422 near the Sarai Katiyan canal bridge, close to Bashiratganj in the Dahi Chowki area. Officials and personnel associated with the agency responsible for the stretch inspected the location after residents brought the damage to their attention.

Soil erosion along carriageway

Preliminary observations indicated that rainwater had eroded soil supporting the edge of the expressway, resulting in subsidence. Repair teams were subsequently deployed to secure the affected portion.

Work was being undertaken around an expansion joint, including overlapping and restoration of the damaged surface. During inspection, officials also detected damage to drainage channels at multiple points along the embankment. Repairs to these channels have also been initiated.

Authorities, however, have not yet established whether the damaged drainage system was directly responsible for the erosion. A technical assessment is expected to determine whether the subsidence was caused solely by rainwater washing away the supporting soil or whether other problems with the road or embankment contributed to the damage.

Damage reported elsewhere

The Unnao incident was not the only rain-related problem reported on the expressway. A section in Amroha district also developed a depression and pothole-like damage following heavy rainfall.

The affected portion in Amroha lies between Faiyaznagar and Sahdara Milak villages in Hasanpur tehsil. Reports of the road sinking there raised concerns among residents over the condition of the newly developed highway.

Officials have described the rain-related damage across the expressway as localised and said repair and rectification work has been undertaken. Uttar Pradesh has experienced intensified wet spells over the past few days, with soil erosion reported at some locations along the expressway.

Opened in April

The 594-km Meerut-Prayagraj phase of the Ganga Expressway was inaugurated on April 29 this year. The six-lane access-controlled corridor is one of Uttar Pradesh's major infrastructure projects and passes through several districts, including Meerut, Hapur, Amroha, Budaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Raebareli and Pratapgarh before reaching Prayagraj.

The Unnao stretch forms part of the packages constructed and maintained by a private company. The latest damage, coming less than four months after the expressway's inauguration, has put attention on the repairs as well as the technical assessment of the affected section.

Authorities have yet to announce the precise reason for the subsidence. Officials said an examination would be necessary to establish whether excessive rain and associated soil erosion were responsible or whether an underlying problem with the embankment or roadway played a role.