The National Highways Authority of India has issued a clarification after a road surface cave-in was reported on the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor following heavy rainfall.
According to NHAI, the incident occurred at Km 55+480 on July 1, 2026, after rainwater accumulated at the location due to a non-operational cross-drainage system. The authority said the affected stretch was identified during routine route patrolling in the early hours of the day, after which restoration work was immediately taken up.
NHAI said the damaged portion was repaired on priority, ensuring safe and uninterrupted movement of traffic on the corridor.
The authority clarified that a balancing culvert had been constructed at the site to carry rainwater across the median and away from the carriageway. However, the culvert could not be connected and commissioned because of sustained resistance from local residents. NHAI said residents had not allowed integration of the drainage system and were instead using the culvert opening as a vehicular crossing.
As a result, the intended cross-drainage arrangement remained non-functional, leading to water stagnation along the carriageway during heavy rainfall and eventually causing the road surface cave-in.
NHAI also said permanent slope protection and chute drain works at the location are still pending due to an ongoing land-related arbitration dispute. The authority stated that despite repeated efforts, the concerned landowners have not permitted execution of these works, preventing completion of permanent protection measures planned under the project design.
To manage the situation, NHAI has started construction of an interim parallel drain of around 1.5 km. The drainage gradient is also being redesigned to safely carry rainwater up to the entry and exit location at Km 56+500 until the balancing culvert is commissioned.
The authority said the affected location is being continuously monitored and all necessary resources have been deployed to maintain smooth and safe traffic movement.
NHAI added that pending permanent slope protection and chute drain works will be taken up once the land-related dispute is resolved and a clear work front becomes available.
Reaffirming its commitment to highway safety, NHAI said continuous monitoring, preventive maintenance and timely response to weather-related incidents remain key parts of its asset management system.
