Archive · 22 Aug 2026
60-Metre Drain Collapse Triggers Inquiry On MP Road
A roadside drain near Kunwad village collapsed during heavy rains.
The damaged section is more than 60 metres long.
The drain belongs to a road built under a government rural-road scheme.
Villagers say the drain may have been built with weak materials and not enough reinforcement.
They say water entered fields and damaged fertile soil and crops.
A government engineer said the drain had been built after measurements were taken.
He said it would be investigated and rebuilt if needed.
The chief engineer has ordered an inquiry into the construction.
Investigators will check whether the work followed the required standards.
More than 60 metres of a roadside drain collapsed during rains at Kunwad village.
The drain is part of the 19.90-kilometre Lunhera-Manawar road built under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
The project cost Rs 12.41 crore, with Rs 87.84 lakh allocated for maintenance, according to the project board.
Villagers alleged weak reinforcement and substandard materials caused water to enter fields and damage crops.
PMGSY Chief Engineer Mangilal Dawar ordered an inquiry into officials’ and the contractor’s roles.
- Who
- Villagers, farmers, local engineering officials, the contractor and PMGSY Chief Engineer Mangilal Dawar are involved.
- What
- More than 60 metres of a roadside drain collapsed, prompting allegations about construction quality and a government inquiry.
- When
- The collapse occurred during rains; the inquiry was ordered afterward. No specific date is given.
- Where
- At Kunwad village on the 19.90-kilometre Lunhera-Manawar road via Nigarni in Manawar, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- Villagers say inadequate reinforcement, cement and other substandard materials may have caused the collapse, while officials will investigate whether design and construction standards were followed.
Villagers’ Concerns
Officials’ Response
Construction quality
Villagers’ Concerns
Villagers alleged that inadequate reinforcement, insufficient cement and substandard materials were used, and requested technical checks of the drain’s thickness and materials.
Officials’ Response
Sub-engineer Sudarshan said the drain was constructed after measurements were taken; officials will investigate whether construction requirements were met.
Cause and responsibility
Villagers’ Concerns
Villagers linked the collapse to poor construction and sought an investigation into possible collusion between contractors and officials.
Officials’ Response
Mangilal Dawar ordered an inquiry examining the sub-engineer, sub-divisional officer, executive engineer, manager and contractor, with action possible if violations are found.
Repair and accountability
Villagers’ Concerns
Villagers requested disclosure of the guarantee period, payments, measurement book and quality test report, and said four bridges on the road remain incomplete.
Officials’ Response
The sub-engineer said the drain would be rebuilt if necessary after the investigation.
- Road project
- 19.90-kilometre Lunhera-Manawar road via Nigarni
- Construction scheme
- Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
- Reported project cost
- Rs 1,241.01 lakh, or approximately Rs 12.41 crore
- Maintenance allocation
- Rs 87.84 lakh
- Drain damage
- More than 60 metres of a 300-metre roadside drain collapsed
- Inquiry ordered by
- PMGSY Chief Engineer Mangilal Dawar
- Design detail
- The drain wall should be around 20 centimetres thick according to the design