The first clip, posted by a Samajwadi Party leader this week, claimed to show cracks on the road. A second video that surfaced days later showed workers repairing the site, prompting sharp attacks from the Opposition. Sharing the newer footage, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav wrote: "Running less, sinking more: Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway! Cost: Rs 4,700 crore!"

The National Highways Authority of India has denied any damage along the 63-km stretch. Opened on 13 July, the expressway is projected to bring down travel time between the two cities from nearly 90 minutes to about 35-40 minutes.

Reacting to the first video, the NHAI said on X that it involved a localised surface slippage near Km 64 in Unnao's Korari area, which was later fixed.

It described the second video as preventive maintenance and corrective work taken up after a full inspection of the corridor following the slippage.

The Indian Express reported, citing officials that three persons linked to the incident, two independent supervising engineers and a construction company official, were removed as part of corrective steps.

NHAI Project Director Nakul Prakash Verma said: "Following the initial slippage, we carried out a thorough review of the entire expressway. Based on the findings, preventive corrective work is being undertaken. The slippage was rectified within six hours and traffic resumed the same day. The videos now being circulated are not of current situation."

The authority added that the road falls under a 15-year Defect Liability Period, during which the concessionaire must handle maintenance at no extra cost.

It dismissed claims of a cave-in, saying only the bituminous top layer over about 40 metres was affected, with no structural harm.

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