Pune-Bengaluru highway: Under-construction embankment collapses near Belagavi, NHAI clarifies

A portion of an under-construction embankment on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) collapsed near Nippani in Belagavi district on July 29, prompting concerns among motorists and local residents. The incident occurred on a section where work to widen the highway to six lanes has been ongoing for over two years.

Local MLA Shashikala Jolle visited the site and expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of construction. She stated that she would bring the matter to the attention of Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and demanded that the affected strip be rebuilt to ensure safety.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) issued a clarification, stating that the collapse was confined to the under-construction approach embankment of a Light Vehicular Underpass (LVUP) on the Sankeshwar Bypass to the Maharashtra border section. NHAI officials from the regional office explained that the main carriageway was not affected, as the Pavement Quality Concrete (PQC) had not yet been laid and work was at the sub-grade level, with only part of the Dry Lean Concrete (DLC) completed.

Heavy rainfall was cited as the cause: water flowed through the unfinished sub-grade, leading to erosion of a 7–10 metre portion of the approach embankment. NHAI assured that restoration work is being carried out on priority to repair the damaged embankment and resume construction.

Importantly, NHAI clarified that vehicle movement on the existing route was not impacted, as traffic was already being diverted via the service road during construction. The clarification came after images of the collapsed side wall and eroded embankment were circulated by Belagavi resident Uday Kinjwadkar.

NHAI reiterated that the incident does not affect the main carriageway and that safety measures are in place. The authority continues to monitor the situation as repair work progresses.