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 at an under-construction section of the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) near Nippani in Karnataka.

According to NHAI, the incident occurred around 11 a.m. on July 29 on the under-construction six-lane project between the Sankeshwar Bypass and the Maharashtra border. A portion of the RE block-faced reinforced soil wall, measuring around 12 metres in length, collapsed at the approach embankment of the main carriageway, causing RE blocks and filter media to slide onto the adjoining service road.

NHAI said that the embankment was still under construction, with the pavement quality concrete (PQC) yet to be laid, and only partial Dry Lean Concrete (DLC) completed. A preliminary assessment attributed the failure to continuous heavy rainfall, which led to water seepage through the sub-grade, causing erosion, and collapse of the retaining wall.

The authority clarified that there was no disruption in traffic movement as vehicles had already been diverted to the adjoining service road. Restoration and stabilisation work has been taken up on priority, with project teams directed to ensure compliance with quality, safety and engineering standards.

NHAI initiated disciplinary action against the officials and project personnel concerned. Show-cause notices have been issued to the contractor and the NHAI engineer concerned. The Project Director, the Bridge Engineer, and the Resident Engineer have been suspended pending further inquiry.