Residents Accuse Builders of Concealing Crack with Jute Bags on Bagalkot‑Mirzachauki Expressway
Local communities surrounding the newly constructed Munger‑Mirzachauki greenfield expressway have raised serious allegations against the contractor’s workforce. According to eyewitnesses, a 50‑metre long, two‑inch deep crack that appeared near Gangapur was covered with layers of jute bags, apparently to keep the damage hidden from passing motorists and regulatory officials.
The four‑lane thoroughfare, budgeted at roughly 4,000 crore rupees, is being delivered in four segments, with the bulk of quality concerns originating in package‑2. Repeated references to monsoon‑driven water pressure and sudden river surges have been offered by project officials as explanations for the structural lapses.
In addition to the concealed fissure, the road’s edge shows signs of earth slumping, creating a potential hazard for vehicles that travel at speed on the newly opened lanes. Earlier in the project, sections near Kadiya and Kanjia villages suffered similar cracking, prompting emergency concrete removal and repouring, only for the repaired stretches to fail again after heavy rain.
NHAI’s technical manager, Abhinav Kumar, stated that while rain‑induced weakening is plausible, the agency will launch a comprehensive investigation. If the affected portion proves structurally unsound, the standard procedure of cutting out the damaged concrete and executing a fresh pour will be followed.
Community leaders have called for an independent technical review of the entire project to uncover the root cause of the recurring fissures and to ensure that future construction adheres to stringent quality standards.