Under-construction bridge collapses on Bharatmala Highway in Khargone

A bridge on the Bharatmala Highway project, located near Baswan village in Khargone district, collapsed before being opened for vehicular movement. The bridge, constructed over the Khirkiya River, was completed two months ago but had not yet been operational. The slab of the bridge collapsed, exposing significant construction flaws, including the use of only 10 mm thick reinforcement bars in two layers and concrete thickness limited to 4 inches.

Following the collapse, contractors reportedly attempted to conceal the damage by covering the affected area with sandbags and soil, while barricades were placed on both sides to prevent accidents. Villagers who visited the site documented the damage and alleged corruption in the construction process.

The project, part of the Indore-Edlabad National Highway, spans 206 kilometers, with the collapsed section falling under a 39-kilometer stretch contracted to GHV India Private Limited. GHV India had subcontracted the work to Kedhareshwar Company, which is also involved in other infrastructure projects in Madhya Pradesh. The total cost of the highway project is ₹33,900 crore, with ₹1,001.69 crore allocated for the 40-kilometer stretch that includes the collapsed bridge.

The bridge was constructed during the tenure of NHAI's Indore unit, but responsibility for the project was later transferred to the Khandwa unit. Both units have refrained from commenting on the incident. Rudra Hajange, the project manager for GHV India, stated that he was unaware of the collapse and dismissed it as a minor issue.

Key Points
- A newly constructed bridge on the Bharatmala Highway in Khargone district collapsed before opening for traffic.
- The bridge's slab used 10 mm reinforcement bars in two layers and had a concrete thickness of 4 inches.
- Contractors reportedly attempted to hide the damage using sandbags and soil.
- The project is part of a ₹33,900 crore highway initiative, with ₹1,001.69 crore allocated for the affected stretch.
- Responsibility for the project shifted from NHAI's Indore unit to its Khandwa unit earlier this year.