Bengaluru, 30 July (H.S.):The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has suspended three officials and initiated disciplinary proceedings against project personnel after a reinforced earth (RE) retaining wall collapsed at an under-construction stretch of the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) near Nippani in Karnataka.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on July 29 along the six-laning project between the Sankeshwar Bypass and the Maharashtra border. According to NHAI, a 12-metre section of the RE block-faced reinforced soil wall at the approach embankment of the main carriageway gave way, sending RE blocks and filter material onto the adjacent service road.

NHAI clarified that the affected section was still under construction and had not been opened to traffic. While part of the Dry Lean Concrete (DLC) work had been completed, the Pavement Quality Concrete (PQC) layer was yet to be laid, indicating that the embankment was still in the construction phase.

A preliminary assessment attributed the collapse to continuous heavy rainfall, which caused water seepage into the sub-grade, leading to soil erosion and the failure of the retaining wall. The authority said a detailed technical investigation has been launched to ascertain the precise cause of the incident.

Traffic movement on the highway was not affected, as vehicles had already been diverted to the adjoining service road due to the ongoing construction work. NHAI said restoration and stabilisation work has been taken up on priority, with project teams directed to ensure strict compliance with quality, safety and engineering standards during the repair process.

Taking serious note of the incident, NHAI has initiated disciplinary action against those responsible. Show-cause notices have been issued to the contractor and the supervising NHAI engineer. Pending further inquiry, the Project Director, the Bridge Engineer and the Resident Engineer associated with the project have been suspended.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman