Soil erosion on NH-44 flyover, safety concern for commuters in Karnal

Even before the monsoon has fully arrived, worrying signs of damage have emerged on the stretch of the National Highway-44 in Karnal city limits, raising serious concerns about commuters’ safety and quality of infrastructure.

At several points on slopes of flyovers on the NH-44 soil erosion has been reported from the sides of bridges and concrete slabs appear cracked or broken, creating potential hazard for thousands of commuters who ply on this crucial route daily.

One such alarming site was spotted near the Namastey Chowk flyover, where the soil supporting the edges of the structure has visibly washed away and slabs have collapsed, exposing gaps and weakened zones.

The residents and daily commuters who noticed the damage expressed concerns over the condition of the highway.

“Rains have just started, and the damage is already this severe. What will happen when there is heavy rain,” questioned Ashish Popli, a resident. “If left unattended, this could lead to major structural damage or even accidents,” said Jagjeet Singh, another resident.

The scene from multiple locations along the NH-44 stretch shows erosion around the flyovers and underpasses. The residents and commuters demanded immediate action from the authorities.

Considering the situation, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials have directed the contractor to carry out a thorough inspection of the whole stretch and repair wherever it is required.

A senior official of the NHAI confirmed that they had taken immediate note of the issue. The contractor had been instructed to inspect the full stretch and initiate repair work wherever necessary.

“Safety of commuters is our top priority. The contractor has been directed to inspect the stretch and repair work has been directed wherever signs of erosion, slab damage, or collapse have been witnessed,” he said.