3 officials suspended for wall collapse on Pune-Bengaluru National Highway

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has suspended three officials and initiated disciplinary action against project staff following the collapse of a Reinforced Earth (RE) block wall on an under-construction section of the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) near Nippani in Karnataka.

According to NHAI, the incident took place around 11 am on July 29 at the six-lane project under construction between Sankeshwar Ring Road and the Maharashtra border. A section of approximately 12 meters long RE block-faced reinforced earth wall collapsed on the approach embankment of the main carriageway, causing the RE blocks and filter media to slide onto the adjacent service road.

A portion of approximately 12 meters long RE block-faced reinforced earth wall collapsed on the approach embankment of the main carriageway, causing the RE blocks and filter media to slide onto the adjacent service road on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway (NH 48) on July 29, 2026. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL EDITING

MLA Shashikala Jolle visited the spot where a wall collapsed on the under-construction section of the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway near Nippani in Belagavi district of Karnataka on July 30, 2026. | Photo Credit: Special Editing

NHAI said the embankment is still under construction, pavement quality concrete (PQC) is yet to be laid and only partially Dry Lean Concrete (DLC) has been completed. A preliminary assessment attributed the failure to persistent heavy rainfall, which caused water seepage from the subgrade, causing erosion and the collapse of the retaining wall.

Authorities announced that there was no disruption in traffic because the vehicles were previously directed to the adjacent service road. Project teams were directed to ensure compliance with quality, safety and engineering standards, and restoration and stabilization works were prioritized.

NHAI has initiated disciplinary action against the officials concerned and the project staff. Reasoned notices were issued to the contractor and the NHAI engineer concerned. The Project Director, Bridge Engineer and Resident Engineer have been suspended pending further investigation.