The condition of the Ganga Expressway, which connects Meerut with Prayagraj, has come under scrutiny after heavy rainfall caused significant waterlogging in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district. A nearly 50-metre stretch of an interchange connecting the Ganga Expressway with the old Kanpur Road (NH-27) was inundated following the downpour.
Visuals from the interchange near the Bashirat Ganj exit toll plaza showed several feet of water accumulated on the road. The waterlogging affected the movement of vehicles and pedestrians in the area, creating difficulties for commuters.
3-4 Feet of Water Accumulates Near Toll Gate
At the Soneik toll gate, water reportedly accumulated to a depth of around 3 to 4 feet, slowing down traffic considerably. The situation also attracted attention from local residents, with some people seen using fishing nets to catch fish from the waterlogged stretch near the toll gate and the industrial corridor service road.
The visuals of the flooded area quickly circulated, bringing attention to the condition of the interchange and raising questions about drainage arrangements during heavy rainfall.
UPEIDA Says Main Expressway Remained Unaffected
The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), however, clarified that the main carriageway of the Ganga Expressway remained unaffected by the waterlogging.
According to the authority, the flooding was limited to approximately 50 metres of one of the four loops at the interchange connecting the expressway with NH-27.
A senior UPEIDA official said the affected loop is used by vehicles entering the Ganga Expressway from NH-27. The official attributed the waterlogging to the presence of a transmission line, which prevented that particular portion of the interchange from being constructed at the required elevation.
Waterlogging Highlights Infrastructure Challenges
The incident has once again highlighted the challenges faced by major road infrastructure projects during periods of intense rainfall. While UPEIDA maintains that the main carriageway of the Ganga Expressway was not affected, the water accumulation at the interchange disrupted traffic and raised concerns among commuters.
Further rainfall in the region could put additional pressure on low-lying portions of interchanges and connecting roads. The situation has therefore drawn attention to the importance of drainage systems and adequate road elevation at connecting points between major expressways and existing highways.
For commuters, the focus will now remain on how quickly the affected stretch is cleared and whether additional measures are taken to prevent similar waterlogging during heavy rainfall in the future.
