 Early Times Report
Jammu, May 2: A bridge collapse in the Thathar area on the outskirts of Jammu has left three labourers dead and two others injured, bringing to light serious safety violations and alleged administrative negligence during construction work.
The incident occurred on Friday in the Bantalab area when a portion of an old bridge, under reconstruction, suddenly gave way, trapping workers engaged in foundation and retaining wall work. Rescue teams, including personnel from the police, Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Fire and Emergency Services, launched a massive operation that lasted nearly 12 hours. Officials said three bodies were recovered from the debris, while two injured workers were rescued, one of them identified as Tarsem Lal.
Preliminary investigations indicate that a long-standing leak in a water pipeline running beneath the bridge had weakened the soil, ultimately leading to the collapse. The leak, allegedly ignored by the concerned department, has emerged as a key factor in the structural failure.
The tragedy has also exposed glaring lapses in worker safety. Labourers were reportedly working in wet and unstable soil without basic protective gear such as helmets, safety shoes, or reflective jackets, in violation of established construction norms. Eyewitness accounts and site conditions suggest that no adequate safety measures, including fencing or supervision, were in place.
The bridge, which was damaged during the floods of August 27, 2025, was recently taken up for reconstruction by the Public Works Department (PWD) at an estimated cost of ₹1.84 lakh. Work had commenced only three days before the incident and was inaugurated by MLA Sham Lal Sharma.
Officials acknowledged that the pipeline leak had not been repaired prior to the start of construction. PWD Chief Engineer Rajesh Agastam has reportedly admitted that the leakage was a major cause of the accident.
The role of both the contractor and government departments, including the Jal Shakti Department, has come under scrutiny. Allegations have surfaced that the contractor rushed the work without adhering to safety norms, while officials failed to ensure proper monitoring after awarding the contract.
Locals have also raised concerns over the lack of precautionary measures at the site, questioning why excavation was carried out despite visibly weak ground conditions and without adequate safeguards.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary visited the site at midnight and ordered immediate action, including the suspension of two engineers.
“I have ordered the suspension of the Assistant Executive Engineer and the Junior Engineer. Directions have also been issued for the attachment of the Executive Engineer,” he told reporters, adding that a time-bound inquiry would be completed within five days.
Following the orders, Assistant Executive Engineer Sahil Verma and Junior Engineer Sajad Mir were placed under suspension pending investigation.
The government has also constituted a three-member inquiry committee headed by Purshotam Kumar, Secretary Technical (Engineer-in-Chief), PWD (R&B). Other members include Superintending Engineer Arit Gupta and Executive Engineer Rajan Mengi.
The administration has ordered a high-level probe to fix accountability and determine whether negligence by the contractor and officials led to the fatal incident. |