New Delhi: Months after the inauguration of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, the Centre has informed Parliament that two potholes were detected on the newly constructed highway and were repaired by the contractor at its own expense under the project’s defect liability clause.
The disclosure comes weeks after videos from Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, showing depressions and a damaged section of the expressway, sparked concerns over the quality and durability of the newly opened corridor.
Responding to a question from Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Singh, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the access-controlled expressway is covered by a 10-year defect liability period, under which the contractor is responsible for rectifying construction-related defects without any financial burden on the government.
The minister stated that two potholes were identified during this period and repaired by the contractor at its own cost.
However, the government’s reply did not specify what caused the potholes or whether they were connected to the road damage seen in the viral videos from Shamli.
What Happened Near Shamli?
On July 1, a section of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway near Gogwan Jalalpur in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district developed a cave-in after overnight rainfall.
Videos circulating on social media showed visible depressions and damage to the road surface, raising questions about the quality of construction on the recently inaugurated highway.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) attributed the incident to localized water stagnation caused by delays in commissioning the permanent cross-drainage system.
According to NHAI, a balancing culvert had been constructed to carry rainwater across the median but could not be made operational because local residents were using the culvert opening as a crossing point for vehicles.
As a result, heavy rainfall caused water to accumulate along the carriageway, leading to damage to the road surface.
Repair Work and Interim Measures
Following the incident, NHAI carried out immediate repairs and initiated additional preventive measures.
The authority said it began constructing an approximately 1.5-kilometre interim parallel drain while redesigning the drainage gradient to improve rainwater flow and prevent future waterlogging.
Permanent Drainage Work Delayed by Land Dispute
NHAI also informed that permanent slope-protection and chute-drain construction at the site remained incomplete because of a land-related arbitration dispute.
According to the authority, certain landowners did not permit work on their land, delaying the completion of the permanent drainage infrastructure envisioned in the original project.
What Is the Defect Liability Period?
The defect liability period (DLP) is a contractual provision requiring the construction company to repair any technical defects or construction deficiencies at its own expense for a specified period after project completion.
During this period, the government does not bear the cost of repairs.
The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway is covered by a 10-year defect liability period, one of the longest maintenance obligations for highway infrastructure.
About the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway on April 14, 2026.
Built at an estimated cost of around ₹12,000 crore, the over 200-kilometre access-controlled expressway is designed to reduce travel time between Delhi and Dehradun from nearly 6.5 hours to about 2.5 hours.
The Shamli cave-in occurred less than three months after the expressway opened to traffic.
Centre Reports Action Against 103 Highway Agencies
In a separate disclosure to Parliament, the government said action had been taken against 103 contractors, companies and agencies involved in national highway projects over the past three financial years for poor construction quality or violations of contractual conditions.
The measures included blacklisting, financial penalties and other disciplinary action.
According to the government:
- 29 agencies faced action during 2023–24
- 29 agencies were penalized in 2024–25
- 45 agencies faced action in 2025–26
The government clarified that these figures relate to national highway projects across India and are not specific to the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway.