Unnao: A video purportedly showing people fishing with nets on a waterlogged stretch near the Basheeratganj interchange of the Ganga Expressway has surfaced on social media, even as officials said the 594-km expressway remained fully operational.

Heavy rain over the past two days led to water accumulating near the interchange and on the road towards the industrial corridor, slowing down vehicular movement. Vehicles exiting the interchange were forced to pass through the waterlogged stretch.

Local motorists said the road surface was difficult to see under the water, while slippery conditions raised concerns about accidents.

The video showing people casting fishing nets in the accumulated water has since been widely shared on social media.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also shared a video of the waterlogged road on social media on Saturday and criticised the BJP over the situation.

“Rivers of BJP corruption are flowing on the Ganga Expressway,” Yadav said, sarcastically suggesting that it be renamed the “Ganga Express Waterway”.

Residents also questioned the drainage arrangements around the interchange and adjoining roads, claiming that inadequate drainage causes water to accumulate during heavy rainfall.

The executing agency deployed tractors to drain the accumulated water, but the problem continued amid persistent rain.

However, Ganga Expressway officials said on Sunday that the entire expressway remained operational and traffic movement was normal. According to officials, waterlogging was reported only on one ramp in Unnao.

Project Manager R S Mishra described the rainfall as “excessive and abnormal”, saying it had affected normal life in several areas.

Mishra said drainage at the affected ramp was also impacted by the relatively low height of a high-tension electricity line passing close to the site.

“The agency is coordinating with the concerned officials and taking necessary action to shift the high-tension line. The line is likely to be shifted soon after the monsoon,” he said.

He added that teams were keeping a continuous watch on the expressway and removing water from affected locations as required to ensure the safe and smooth movement of traffic.