A section of the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway, NH-48, near Nippani in the Belagavi district of Karnataka, collapsed on Wednesday, July 29, following continuous rainfall. The incident occurred along an under-construction approach for a Light Vehicle Underpass (LVUP) on the Sankeshwar Bypass to the Maharashtra Border section. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) clarified that the collapse took place before the final pavement layers were laid, with work still at the sub-grade level.
According to NHAI officials, heavy rainfall caused surface water to flow through the sub-grade, leading to the erosion of a 7 to 10-meter stretch of the approach embankment wall. Although the collapse caused a stir among motorists, traffic movement on the highway remained normal as vehicles were already diverted to a service road due to ongoing construction. No injuries or damage to vehicles were reported.
Following the incident, NHAI assured that emergency repair teams have been deployed to the site and are working on a priority basis to stabilize the embankment. Local MLA Shashikala Jolle visited the site and expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the work. She stated her intention to apprise Union Minister Nitin Gadkari of the situation and demand that the affected strip be rebuilt.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by infrastructure projects in regions prone to heavy monsoon activity. The Pune-Bengaluru National Highway is a critical artery connecting major cities in western India, and its maintenance and development are crucial for economic and logistical activities.
The Chenab Times News Desk