The Jammu and Kashmir administration has suspended two engineers following the collapse of an under-construction culvert in Doda district that resulted in the death of a woman labourer and injuries to 12 others.
The incident occurred on Tuesday during the execution of a 600-metre span culvert on the road from Bhargi to Kunan in the Gandoh block of Doda district. The tragedy has prompted swift administrative action, including the constitution of a formal inquiry.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has placed In-charge Assistant Executive Engineer Naveen Kumar and Junior Engineer Imtiaz Ahmed Shah under suspension with immediate effect. Financial Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anil Kumar Singh issued the order, citing pending inquiry into their conduct related to the incident.
The order appoints Purshotam Kumar, Engineer-in-Chief and Secretary Technical in the Public Works (Roads and Bridges) Department, as the Inquiry Officer. He has been directed to submit a detailed report within 15 days. During the period of suspension, the two engineers will remain attached to the office of the Chief Engineer, PMGSY Jammu, and will receive suspension allowance as per rules.
Doda district is located in the Jammu division of Jammu and Kashmir, situated in the Chenab Valley region approximately 200 kilometres northeast of Jammu city. The area is known for its challenging hilly terrain, where infrastructure projects under schemes like Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) are frequently undertaken to improve rural connectivity.
The culvert collapse took place while construction work was in progress at the site in Block Gandoh. Initial reports indicate that the structure gave way suddenly, leading to the casualties among the labourers present. The deceased woman labourer was trapped under the debris, while the injured were shifted to Government Medical College Hospital in Doda for treatment.
This development comes amid ongoing emphasis by the Union Territory administration on accountability in public works projects. The suspension of the engineers underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining standards in infrastructure development, particularly in remote and hilly districts where safety concerns are paramount due to difficult geographical conditions.
Officials have stated that the inquiry will examine all aspects of the construction process, including adherence to safety protocols and quality standards during the execution of the culvert project. The PMGSY Division Thathri, under which the sub-division Gandoh falls, was overseeing the work.
The incident has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities associated with construction activities in the region, especially during periods of active implementation of road connectivity schemes aimed at linking remote villages. Authorities have assured that necessary relief measures were promptly initiated following the collapse, with local administration and police teams reaching the spot.
As the inquiry proceeds, the focus remains on determining the factors that led to the structural failure. The administration has reiterated that strict action will be taken against any lapses found during the probe.
The Chenab Times News Desk