Barely three months after its inauguration, the Rs 12,000-crore Delhi-Dehradun Expressway has come under the spotlight after large potholes appeared on a section of the newly opened highway.
The controversy gained momentum after a video recorded by a motorist near Hathi Karoda village in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district went viral on social media.
The footage showed two sizeable sunken holes on the carriageway, with the driver claiming that "four to five vehicles lost their balance" after passing over the damaged stretch. According to the video, at least two cars also suffered damaged alloy wheels after hitting the potholes.
The 212 km six-lane expressway, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 April, was developed to reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from around six hours to nearly two hours.
Built at a cost of approximately Rs 12,000 crore, the highway has witnessed heavy traffic, particularly during weekends.
As the video circulated widely online, criticism mounted over the appearance of road damage before the expressway had even completed its first monsoon season.
Several social media users questioned the durability of the project, while opposition parties alleged serious lapses in execution and demanded accountability.
Congress spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed accused the government of corruption in the construction process.
The Aam Aadmi Party also criticised the project, alleging that the premature deterioration reflected poor execution despite the substantial public investment.
Following the public outcry, repair work was reportedly carried out on the affected section later the same day, with officials patching the damaged surface.
Please click here to add Swarajya as your preferred and trusted news source on Google
Adani's Proposed 49 Per Cent Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Heads For Kerala Cabinet Review