Toll Collection Suspended on Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway Until Repairs Complete Following Aaj Tak Exposé; Strict Action Against PNC Infratech

Taking swift action following an investigative report by Aaj Tak and India Today's prime time regarding the deteriorating condition of the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has suspended toll collection until all repair works are fully completed.

Key Highlights:
- Toll Suspension: Commuters will not have to pay any toll until the road is fully repaired, with repair costs borne entirely by the construction agency and revenue losses recovered from them.
- Strict Penalties on PNC Infratech: The construction company PNC Infratech Ltd. has been issued a notice declaring it a 'non-performer', barring it from future NHAI tenders, imposing a 2% performance security penalty, and lowering its pavement condition index.
- Officer Accountability: Project manager Vivek Kumar गुप्ता, independent engineer Surendra Kumar, and resident engineer Yatendra Kumar have been removed from the project and barred for 2 years from MoRTH, NHAI, and NHIDCL projects. Charge sheets are also being issued against project directors Nakul Prakash Verma and former director Saurabh Chaurasia.
- Technical Investigation: An expert team led by Professor K.S. Reddy from IIT Kharagpur, alongside high-tech laser equipment, is conducting a thorough technical audit to determine the cause of premature road degradation.