**Executive Summary**
On April 6, 2026, a significant settlement incident was reported on the right-hand side carriageway of NH-32 in Tamil Nadu. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials have diverted traffic and suspended toll collection at the Kothattai Fee Plaza to ensure public safety while technical investigations into a suspected foundation failure are conducted. Immediate administrative actions include the issuance of Show Cause Notices to the Concessionaire and Independent Engineer, with priority restoration works currently being planned.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Incident Overview and Timeline**
* **Location:** The settlement occurred at Vallampadugai Village, Cuddalore District, near a Light Vehicular Underpass (Km 105.2) on the Kollidam Bypass.
* **Initial Detection:** Following routine inspections in late March that showed no issues, the Concessionaire first observed 100 mm settlement and pavement cracks on April 4, 2026.
* **Escalation:** Despite initial rectification efforts on April 5, the settlement progressed to approximately 2.5 meters by the early hours of April 6, 2026.
**Structural Damage and Findings**
* **RS Wall Failure:** Inspection revealed bulging, cracking, and horizontal displacement of Reinforced Soil (RS) Wall blocks over a 50-meter stretch.
* **Secondary Damage:** Displacement was noted in the wing wall of an existing box culvert, alongside heaving and cracking of the adjoining ground.
* **Root Cause:** Preliminary expert evaluations suggest the settlement was caused by foundation failure due to poor bearing capacity.
**Safety and Administrative Response**
* **Operational Changes:** Traffic has been completely diverted from the affected stretch, and user fee collection at Kothattai Fee Plaza was suspended at 12:50 PM on April 6, 2026.
* **Accountability:** NHAI has issued Show Cause Notices to both the Concessionaire and the Independent Engineer regarding the structural failure.
* **Restoration:** Technical experts are on-site to finalize remedial measures and prioritize the restoration of normal traffic operations.
**Impact Analysis**
**Commuters and General Public**
**Impact**
Travel is disrupted by the complete closure of the affected main carriageway and the implementation of traffic diversions.
**Action Required**
Commuters must utilize designated diversion routes and follow on-site safety instructions until the stretch is reopened.
**NHAI (National Highways Authority of India)**
**Impact**
The authority must manage emergency site monitoring, technical investigations, and loss of toll revenue due to fee suspension.
**Action Required**
NHAI must oversee the detailed technical investigation and ensure the implementation of priority remedial measures to restore the highway.
**The Concessionaire and Independent Engineer**
**Impact**
Both parties are under investigation for the structural failure of a stretch that had only been open to traffic since March 2024.
**Action Required**
They must respond to the Show Cause Notices and cooperate with the expert evaluation and rectification process.
Key Entities Referenced
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): The regulatory body responsible for monitoring the incident, conducting technical investigations, and overseeing remedial measures on the highway.
NH-32 (Poondiyankuppam - Sattanathapuram Section): The specific 4-lane national highway stretch in Tamil Nadu where the major road settlement incident occurred.
Kothattai Fee Plaza: The toll facility where user fee collection was suspended due to the traffic diversion caused by the structural failure.
Vallampadugai Village, Cuddalore District: The primary location in Tamil Nadu central to the applicability of the emergency traffic diversions and technical inspections.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Settlement of Main Carriageway on the Four-
Lane Poondiyankuppam (Km 67) -
Sattanathapuram (Km 123.8) Section of NH-32 in
Tamil Nadu
Traffic on the affected stretch has been diverted and
collection of user fee at Kothattai Fee Plaza has been
suspended
Posted On: 06 APR 2026 8:45PM by PIB Delhi
An incident of settlement of the main carriageway was reported on 4-Lane Poondiyankuppam -
Sattanathapuram Section of NH-32 in Tamil Nadu on 06th April, 2026. The incident pertains to the right-
hand side (RHS) carriageway at Vallampadugai Village, Cuddalore District, near the Reinforced Soil (RS)
Wall approach of a Light Vehicular Underpass (LVUP) at Km 105.2 on Kollidam Bypass. The stretch has
been opened to traffic since March, 2024.
The routine inspections of the stretch on 20th and 21st March, 2026 did not reveal any cracks or bulging in
the RS Wall structure. However, on 04th April, 2026, the Concessionaire observed cracks in the Pavement
Quality Concrete (PQC) along with a settlement of approximately 100 mm over a stretch of about 30
meters on the Right Hand Side (RHS) of the main carriageway. Immediate rectification measures were
initiated on the following day, including replacement of affected concrete pavement panels. During the
rectification work, another settlement of one metre length was noticed at around 12:30 AM on 06th April,
2026.
The site was promptly inspected by NHAI Project Director at around 2:30 AM on 06th April 2026.
Subsequent inspection revealed bulging, cracking, and horizontal displacement of the RS Wall blocks over
an approximate length of 50 metres. In addition, displacement of the wing wall of the existing box culvert
was also observed. At present, the settlement of the RHS carriageway is assessed to be approximately 2.5
metres, with horizontal movement still developing. The heaving and cracking of adjoining ground is also
observed.
To ensure public safety, traffic on the affected stretch has been completely diverted. Further, collection of
user fee at Kothattai Fee Plaza has been suspended with effect from 12:50 PM on 06th April, 2026.
NHAI is closely monitoring the situation, experts have reached the site and detailed technical
investigations are being undertaken. The root cause of the settlement appears to be foundation failure
(poor bearing capacity). Based on expert evaluation, appropriate remedial measures will be implemented
on priority to restore normal traffic operations at the earliest. Show Cause Notice to Concessionaire and
Independent Engineer have been issued.
***GDH/DS
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