What Caused the Collapse of an Under-Construction Well in MP Village?
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Synopsis
A catastrophic incident in Madhya Pradesh's Juna Gadgadiya village resulted in the tragic deaths of two labourers. As the construction of a 40-foot well proceeded amid heavy rain, the inner wall gave way, revealing critical issues of safety and negligence in construction practices.
Key Takeaways
- The collapse occurred due to poor soil conditions exacerbated by rainfall.
- Two labourers tragically lost their lives in the incident.
- Rescue operations were hindered by wet soil, delaying recovery efforts.
- Accountability measures have been initiated against the contractor.
- Similar incidents highlight ongoing safety concerns in construction across Madhya Pradesh.
Ratlam, June 18 (NationPress) Two labourers tragically lost their lives in Juna Gadgadiya village of Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh, when the inner wall of an under-construction well collapsed. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, with authorities recovering their bodies in the early hours of Wednesday.
According to Durgesh Armo, the Additional Superintendent of Police, the collapse transpired around 7 p.m. as the workers were constructing a cement-concrete wall around a 40-foot-deep well. The deceased, Vikram Singh (43) and Amar Singh (32), both hailing from Kelukheda village in Tal tehsil, were positioned near the base of the well when the soil, weakened by continuous rainfall throughout the day, gave way, burying them beneath a substantial amount of earth. Notably, five labourers had completed their work for the day and were preparing to leave when the mishap occurred.
The area had been subjected to relentless rain, saturating the soil and compromising the stability of the structure.
The collapse was sudden, providing little opportunity for the workers to respond.
“Initially, all the workers attempted to rescue them, but when they were unsuccessful, they informed the police around 8 p.m.,” the officer remarked.
In response to the alert, police, local administration, and the State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) arrived at the scene. However, the rescue operation was significantly delayed due to the wet and unstable soil conditions. It wasn't until 11:30 p.m. that heavy machinery, including earthmoving equipment, could be utilized for excavation.
The bodies were finally recovered at 1:40 a.m. and sent to Jaora District Hospital for post-mortem examination.
The workers were trapped approximately 10 feet from the bottom of the well, with about 30 feet of soil above them.
Additionally, a case of negligent conduct under Section 106(1) BNS has been filed against Dashrath Gurjar, the private contractor in charge of the construction. “The quality of work was inadequate,” he stated.
Similar tragedies have been reported in various locations across Madhya Pradesh, including Dewas and Guna, where heavy rains have led to collapses at construction sites.
Point of View
This incident underscores the need for stringent safety measures in construction, particularly in regions prone to heavy rainfall. It's imperative to ensure that contractors adhere to quality standards and prioritize worker safety to prevent such tragic occurrences in the future.
NationPress
18/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the well's collapse?
The collapse was caused by soil instability due to continuous rainfall, which weakened the structure as workers were constructing the well.
What actions were taken after the incident?
Local police, administration, and the State Disaster Emergency Response Force were deployed for rescue operations, though the efforts faced delays due to unstable conditions.
Has anyone been held accountable?
Yes, a case of negligent conduct has been registered against the contractor responsible for the construction.
