NHAI Suspends 3 Officials After Wall Collapse on Pune-Bengaluru Highway
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has suspended three officials and initiated disciplinary action against project personnel following the collapse of a Reinforced Earth (RE) block wall on the under-construction Pune-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) near Nippani in Karnataka.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on July 29 on a six-lane project between the Sankeshwar Bypass and the Maharashtra border. A section of the RE wall, measuring approximately 12 metres in length, collapsed at the approach embankment of the main carriageway, causing blocks and filter media to slide onto the adjoining service road.
NHAI stated that the embankment was still under construction, with pavement quality concrete yet to be laid and only partial dry lean concrete completed. A preliminary assessment attributed the failure to continuous heavy rainfall, which led to water seepage through the sub-grade, causing erosion and the collapse.
The authority clarified that traffic movement was not disrupted as vehicles had already been diverted to the service road. Restoration work has been prioritised, and project teams have been directed to ensure compliance with quality, safety, and engineering standards.
Show-cause notices have been issued to the contractor and the NHAI engineer concerned. The Project Director, Bridge Engineer, and Resident Engineer have been suspended pending further inquiry.
