Company under lens for Kanpur expressway lapses wins Rs 3,483 crore projects

PNC Infratech has signed two NHAI concession agreements worth Rs 3,483 crore for NH-927 projects in Uttar Pradesh. The awards have drawn attention because the company faces CBI scrutiny and possible action over the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway.Rs 4,200-crore Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway have developed serious damage and cracks.Infrastructure major PNC Infratech Limited, facing scrutiny over construction lapses on the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway and under investigation in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) bribery case, has secured two National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) highway projects worth around Rs 3,483 crore.Barely three weeks after its opening, parts of the Rs 4,200-crore Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway have developed serious damage and cracks, forcing authorities to dig up and rebuild affected stretches. The NHAI initiated action against the company over repeated quality issues on the expressway and has reportedly declared it a "non-performer", with the process of possible blacklisting underway. Despite this, the company recently secured two major highway projects from NHAI, raising questions over the award of fresh contracts to a company facing ongoing regulatory scrutiny.PNC INFRATECH GETS TWO PROJECTS WORTH 3,483 CROREAccording to a company disclosure, PNC Infratech signed concession agreements with NHAI on July 16, 2026, for two Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) highway projects with a combined bid project cost of around Rs 3,483 crore. The first project involves the construction of the Barabanki-Mustafabad four-lane highway on NH-927 from Barabanki Design Chainage Km 0+000 to Mustafabad Design Chainage Km 43+030 in Uttar Pradesh. The project has a bid cost of Rs 1,728 crore and will be executed through Barabanki Mustafabad Highway Private Limited.The second project involves the construction of the Mustafabad-Biswan four-lane highway on NH-927 from Mustafabad Design Chainage Km 43+030 to Biswan Design Chainage Km 101+515. The project has a bid cost of Rs 1,755 crore and will be executed through Mustafabad Biswan Highway Private Limited. Both projects are scheduled for completion within 24 months from the appointed date and will be operated for 15 years after construction.CBI BOOKED PNC OFFICIALS IN 10 LAKH BRIBERY CASEPNC Infratech had earlier come under scrutiny in a CBI bribery case registered in 2024 involving allegations of a Rs 10 lakh bribe linked to highway-related work.According to the CBI investigation, an NHAI General Manager-cum-Project Director allegedly accepted illegal gratification in connection with official work related to a highway project. The agency alleged that individuals linked to PNC Infratech arranged the bribe to influence decisions relating to project approvals, clearances and other official matters.During the investigation, the CBI arrested the NHAI General Manager-cum-Project Director and booked several other accused persons. Four officials or employees associated with PNC Infratech were named as accused in the case. The agency also conducted searches at multiple locations and examined the role of company officials during the probe.PNC Infratech had said at the time that it was cooperating with the investigation and would follow due legal process.FRESH CONTRACTS AMID ONGOING SCRUTINYThe controversy centres on the fact that while NHAI is examining punitive action against PNC Infratech over the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway, the company has continued to receive major highway contracts from the same authority.The blacklisting process involves technical evaluation, issuing notices, providing the contractor an opportunity to present its defence, and obtaining final approval from the competent authorities.The award of two fresh HAM projects worth nearly Rs 3,500 crore has raised questions over whether the company's ongoing scrutiny and past allegations were considered before awarding the new contracts.- EndsPublished By: Akshat TrivediPublished On: Aug 6, 2026 17:00 IST