A BJP MLA from Bulandshahr, Chandrapal Singh Lodhi, was injured alongside another individual after his Fortuner vehicle was involved in an accident on the Ganga Expressway. The incident reportedly occurred when the vehicle’s tyre burst, leading to a loss of control and subsequent collision with a roadside pole.

Both the MLA and the other occupant are currently receiving medical treatment at a private hospital located in Hapur. CCTV footage has surfaced, capturing the moments preceding the crash, where the Fortuner is seen skidding across the highway. The incident took place amid ongoing heavy rainfall in the region, contributing to hazardous driving conditions on the expressway.

Impact of Heavy Rain in Unnao

In the Unnao district, continuous rainfall over a span of 36 hours has resulted in widespread waterlogging in multiple areas. The inadequate drainage systems in the region have exacerbated the situation for local residents. The situation has become critical at the Sonik toll plaza along the Ganga Expressway, where the exit point has been submerged following two days of persistent rain.

Local reports indicate that water levels have reached approximately five to six feet in certain sections, causing toll cabins to be completely submerged. Additionally, a trailer truck became stranded on the service road due to water entering its engine, rendering the vehicle inoperable.

Efforts to mitigate the flooding have seen the agency responsible for the expressway deploy three generators, operated using tractors, to pump out the excess water. A JCB machine has also been brought in to create a pit adjacent to the service road, aimed at diverting water from the toll plaza. Despite ongoing efforts, reports suggest that the water levels have not significantly receded.

Commute Disruptions and Concerns

Commuters travelling from Unnao to Prayagraj on the Ganga Expressway are reportedly waiting for the water levels to decrease before navigating the affected sections. The ongoing waterlogging has raised significant concerns regarding the potential for vehicles to become stranded while attempting to enter or exit the toll plaza.

The Ganga Expressway, which stretches approximately 594 kilometres from Meerut to Prayagraj, has previously encountered similar waterlogging issues at the Sonik toll plaza during past heavy rain events. Local reports indicate that such flooding had occurred around one to one-and-a-half months ago, renewing scrutiny concerning the adequacy of drainage arrangements at the toll plaza.

The repeated instances of flooding at this location highlight persistent challenges that hamper the overall traffic flow on a major expressway. Local authorities are under pressure to address the drainage inadequacies to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

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