Kathmandu— Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh for poor road construction quality, alleging that newly inaugurated roads are already in need of repairs. In a post on X, he shared a video showing repair work being done with electric fans to dry patched surfaces, questioning whether such infrastructure can be trusted by the public.

Allegations of Substandard Construction

Yadav's criticism extends beyond just one road. He questioned the progress and quality of the proposed 'Atal Progress Way,' suggesting that it might remain confined to planning or exist only on paper. The SP chief alleged that under BJP rule, construction projects are often subpar in quality, with many collapsing or falling apart more frequently than they function properly.

In a broader attack on the ruling party, Yadav accused the government of widespread corruption and poor oversight in infrastructure projects.

NHAI's Response

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has responded to the allegations by stating that stringent action has been taken against the concessionaire, Independent Engineer, and concerned officials following the identification of issues on the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway. Immediate corrective measures have been initiated to restore the affected stretch and strengthen quality assurance mechanisms.

NHAI reported that a slippage of about 300 meters was observed near km 64 (RHS) of the expressway on July 26, 2026. Prompt restoration works were ordered, along with a comprehensive technical assessment of the affected location and disciplinary actions against stakeholders responsible for deficiencies in project execution and supervision.

Traffic has been diverted at the spot where issues were identified, but is currently plying smoothly. Toll collection on this stretch of the expressway has been suspended until complete rectification.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.