Erosion Of Under-construction Approach Embankment On Pune-Bengaluru Highway
The incident occurred near MGM Hospital on the Sankeshwar Bypass–Maharashtra border stretch of NH-48, where six-laning works are currently underway. Concrete blocks and mud gave way, drawing public attention and briefly disrupting movement around the construction site
Belagavi: A portion of an under-construction approach road to a Light Vehicular Underpass on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway near Nippani collapsed on Wednesday, prompting criticism from local residents over the quality of the ongoing work. Taking serious note of the incident, NHAI has initiated disciplinary action against the concerned officials and project personnel.
The incident occurred near MGM Hospital on the Sankeshwar Bypass–Maharashtra border stretch of NH-48, where six-laning works are currently underway. Concrete blocks and mud gave way, drawing public attention and briefly disrupting movement around the construction site.
Residents questioned the quality of execution and claimed that complaints about deficiencies in the highway project had been raised since the widening work began. They demanded that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the contractor be held accountable.
Nippani MLA Shashikala Jolle visited the site to inspect the damage. She expressed unhappiness over the enforcement of the construction work. She added that the matter would be brought to the attention of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Meanwhile, NHAI has given clarification related to the incident.
“The Pavement Quality Concrete (PQC) had not yet been laid and the formation was at the sub-grade level with partial Dry Lean Concrete (DLC) completed, heavy rainfall resulted in water flow through the sub-grade, leading to the erosion of a 7–10 m portion of the approach embankment. Since the main carriageway is under construction, traffic movement was being facilitated through the service road,” NHAI said.
It added that no traffic was affected by the incident and restoration works are being carried out on priority.
Taking serious note of the incident, NHAI has initiated disciplinary action against the concerned officials and project personnel. Show cause notices have been issued to the Contractor and the Authority Engineer.
The Project Director, the Bridge Engineer, and the Resident Engineer have been placed under suspension pending further inquiry.
NHAI stated that it remains committed to ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, and accountability, the restoration of the affected portion is being undertaken on priority, and all necessary corrective and preventive measures are being implemented.
