Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Dahi Irrigation Pipeline Bursts Before Madhya Pradesh Inauguration
A large irrigation project in Madhya Pradesh is being tested before its planned opening.
During the testing, a buried water pipe burst in Surani village.
Powerful water entered an unfinished house and spread onto farms.
Villagers said crops and household items were damaged.
The pipe was buried beneath the house, making repairs difficult.
Officials said the pipe may have been hit during house construction.
They also said the agency would repair the damage and compensate farmers for crop losses.
The project is intended to provide irrigation to about 47,000 hectares.
A pipeline in the ₹1,324-crore Dahi Micro Lift Irrigation Project burst around 11 a.m. in Surani village, Dhar.
The incident occurred shortly before Chief Minister Mohan Yadav was scheduled to inaugurate the project on October 4.
High-pressure water damaged an unfinished house, nearby farmland, crops and household belongings.
Officials said testing was underway and suggested construction activity may have damaged the buried pipeline.
Repair work began after company personnel arrived, while officials said compensation would be provided for crop losses.
- Who
- The Narmada Valley Development Authority, project contractors, local villagers and Madhya Pradesh officials are involved.
- What
- A pipeline from the ₹1,324-crore Dahi Micro Lift Irrigation Project burst during testing.
- When
- Around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, shortly before the planned October 4 inauguration.
- Where
- Surani village in the Dhar/Kukshi area of Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- Officials attributed the leak to possible damage caused by construction over the buried pipeline, while the incident raised questions about construction quality and safety checks.
Villagers and Safety Concerns
Officials and Construction-Damage Explanation
Cause of the burst
Villagers and Safety Concerns
Villagers and the report raised questions about construction quality, technical checks and the decision to bury the pipeline beneath a house.
Officials and Construction-Damage Explanation
Dhar Collector Rajeev Ranjan Meena and NVDA engineer Pradeep Mujalda said testing was underway and that construction activity over the pipeline appeared to have caused the damage.
Response at the site
Villagers and Safety Concerns
Villagers said water continued flowing for hours and that no NVDA representative had arrived by about 3 p.m.
Officials and Construction-Damage Explanation
NVDA said it had received information, sent staff to the site and directed company personnel to begin repairs.
Impact and remedy
Villagers and Safety Concerns
Residents said the water weakened a house foundation and damaged crops, grain and other belongings.
Officials and Construction-Damage Explanation
Officials said the responsible agency would repair damage during testing and compensate farmers for crop losses.
- Project cost
- ₹1,324 crore
- Planned inauguration
- October 4, by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav
- Project agency
- Narmada Valley Development Authority
- Affected location
- Surani village, Dhar district
- Reported damage
- An unfinished house, farmland, cotton crops, grain, DJ equipment and young chicks
- Intended irrigation coverage
- About 47,000 hectares
- Official response
- Repair work began and compensation was promised for crop losses